Frederick R. (Ross) LaRosa, 78 of Plover, died early Friday morning, September 8, 2017 at St. Clare’s Hospital in Weston.

Fred was born July 25, 1939 in Milwaukee. He was the son of the late Stephen and Doreen (Arnott) LaRosa. He attended schools in Milwaukee and graduated from Riverside High School.

Fred entered the United States Marine Corp on April 3, 1958 in Milwaukee. He achieved the rank of Lance Corporal in 1960 serving with the 1st Marine Division. He was honorably discharged on March 31, 1961 at Camp Pendleton, Cali.

He then transferred and served three years with the 9th Marine Corp Reserves being honorably discharged on April 2, 1964. He received the good conduct medal and the Rifle Marksman Badge.

His marriage to Martina Grover took place on May 19, 1962 at St. Leo’s Catholic Church in Milwaukee. After their marriage the couple settled in Milwaukee moving to Stevens Point in 1967. In April of 1967 Fred joined the Stevens Point Police Department. He was promoted to corporal on January 1, 1976, to sergeant on August 9, 1983 and to lieutenant on September 8, 1988 and retired after 30 years on March 31, 1997.

He then worked as a bailiff for the Portage County Courthouse and was a currier for St. Michael’s Hospital for the lab department. Fred continued his community service with his time.

He served on the board of directors for the Portage County Youth on Ice for many years. He was also a Trustee for the Village of Plover beginning on April 15, 1997, and was appointed to the Finance Committee. He continued to serve the village in various committees, in 1998 he served on the Administrative Committee, Finance Committee from 1997-2000, Parks Committee from 1999-2017, Pedestrian Walkway from 1999-2000, Planning Commission in 1998, Public Works committee from 1999 -2017, and was currently serving at the Committee Chairperson, the Springville Pond Management Committee from 2006-2017 and the Utility Committee from 2000-2017.

He is a member of the Wisconsin Law Enforcement Association, Lifetime member of the Elks Lodge 641 of Stevens Point, Loyal Order of the Moose Lodge 1572, American Legion Post 543 of Plover, the DAV (Disabled American Veterans) Chapter 30, and the AMVETS and was a Charter member of the Central Wisconsin Marine Corp League was commandant from 1975 1976 and from 1981-1982. He had the honor of being named PABA Citizen of the Year on June 12, 2012.

In his free time Fred enjoyed hunting, fishing and making his own fishing lures, and loved playing Santa, which he did for many years for various organizations. His most precious time was spent with his family, especially his grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial in Fred’s name will be established at a later date.

Survivors include his wife Martina, his children; Maria LaRosa (Alan Shapiro) of Palatine, Ill. , Stephen LaRosa (Bonnie Vaughn) of Anchorage, Alaska, and Christine (Tony) Almanza of Stevens Point.

His grandchildren; Alissa, Anthony, Kayla, Jessica, Nicholas, Emmalee, Marco, Morgan, Matteo and Sierra and his great-granddaughter Maddison. He is further survived by one brother James (Joy) LaRose of Fox Point, Wis., a sister Patty (Donald) Pick of Orlando, Fla. and a sister in law Sandra LaRosa of Milwaukee.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother Thomas LaRosa.

Funeral Mass will be 10:30 AM on Wed., September 13, 2017 at St. Stephen Catholic Church, with Rev. Jerzy Rebacz officiating. Burial with Full Military honors will be in the Guardian Angel Cemetery. Family and friends may call from 4-7 PM Tuesday at the Pisarski Funeral Home and from 9:30 AM Wednesday at St. Stephens Church until the time for mass. There will be a parish Rosary at 7 PM Tuesday evening at the funeral home. The Pisarski Funeral Home is honored to be serving the family. Online condolences may be sent by visiting www.pisarskifuneralhome.com

A special thank you to Dr. Mercier and Julie at the Marshfield Clinic for all their help and care with Fred’s Cancer. Also to Dr. Teri Hahn and staff for always being there for Fred and your support given to us, and a special thank you for all the staff at St. Clare’s Hospital in Weston for the past six weeks.