Luis De La Rosa

Luis de la Rosa passed away on his 95th birthday, on March 24, 2018 and was a resident of Gardena, California. He was born on March 24, 1923 and was predeceased by his wife of 45 years, Maria Refugio de la Rosa. He is survived by his five children: Dora (Juan Torres), Vivian (Randy Itow), Luis Jr., Ruby (Guy McMurtie) and Marissa (Tim Burwell); eight grandchildren: Alexandra Torres Law, Cristian Torres, Veronica Tarutani, Ryan Itow, Kyle Casimiro, Sofia Burwell, Lucas Burwell and Nicolas Burwell; and two great grandchildren: Cameron Law and Grayson Law.

Luis was born in Mexico City and first came to this country via the Bracero Program in the 1940s. He met Maria in Los Angeles, where they married and had their five children. He was a proud member of the Carpenter’s Union for over 40 years. After he retired he wanted to keep busy so he continued working as a handyman until his early eighties.

His greatest pride and joy were his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Though he was forced to leave school after the 6th grade to help support his family, he was most proud that his children attended college and graduate school. His greatest joy was the weekly Friday night dinners at his house, coordinated and cooked by Luis, Jr. and attended by all of his children and grandchildren.

A viewing and rosary will be held at Green Hills Mortuary on April 6 from 5 pm to 8 pm. A funeral mass will be held at St. John Fisher Church on April 7, at 11 am. Interment will follow at Green Hills Cemetery.