3/12/1938 – 11/22/2023
Jon E. “Jack” Rose, 85 of South Windsor passed away on Wednesday, November 22, 2023, on his wife’s birthday as if she was calling for him. Jack was recently widowed when Lucretia “Cretie” passed away on June 25th of this year. Jon was born on March 12, 1938, in Hartford to the late William and Emma (Skarin) Rose and was a lifelong resident of South Windsor. Jack married Lucretia (Graham) in 1959 and they raised three children, James (Jim), Lynn & Ruth, all of South Windsor.
Jack was a graduate of Ellsworth Memorial High School, Class of 1956. Jack went on to earn his bachelor’s degree in 1960 from the University of Connecticut. Those who knew him, admired his quick wit & his incredible talent on the basketball court. Considered to be one of the greatest high school players in Connecticut schoolboy history, Jack continued to be a standout, (and a bit of a showman) as a UConn Husky. Jack played in an era when freshman were not NCAA eligible, and there was no 3 point shot, yet he still managed to score 1,116 points over the course of his sophomore, junior and senior years, becoming just the 3rd member of the Huskies elite 1,000 point club. Over his college career, Jack was voted an All American, he was a 2-time All Yankee Conference first team pick, made the Yankee Conference Honor Roll all 3 years, and was Captain of his team his senior year. Jack was inducted into the New England Basketball Hall of Fame in 2017 & The South Windsor High School Hall of Fame in 2018.
Jack loved spending time with his family & friends, and in his garden. Jack left behind his son James Rose who passed away unexpectedly 4 days later. Jack also leaves his two daughters, Lynn Rose Greer and her husband Kevin, and Ruth Rose Lariviere & her husband Chris, his grandchildren Jaime Rose Coker & her husband Ray, Jonathan Rose, Megan Greer and her fiancé Jim Boyle, Matthew Greer, Cassidy Lariviere & her fiancé Hunter Pasqualini, and Riley Lariviere, and Jack’s great grandchildren Ezra Coker, Nerayah Coker, and Colton James Boyle.
Jack was predeceased by his two sisters & one brother-in-law, June Brady, and Jean Jamieson & her husband Bob. He was also predeceased by his older brother, Glenn, who was killed in action in 1950 fighting the enemy in North Korea. Jack leaves behind his brother-in-law Sam Brady and many nieces and nephews
Jack’s family will honor his memory with a private gathering at a later date to be determined.