Longtime Atkinson volunteer dies Flags flown at half-staff to honor DeRosa

From the Eagle Tribune;

Longtime Atkinson volunteer dies Flags flown at half-staff to honor DeRosa
By John Basilesco
jbasilesco@eagletribune.com

ATKINSON — Flags few at half-staff yesterday in memory of Joseph DeRosa, who died over the weekend and is being remembered as a dedicated volunteer for a town he loved very much.

DeRosa, 67, died Saturday night at the Lahey Clinic in Burlington, Mass.

He moved to Atkinson from Dedham, Mass., 33 years ago and served on the Board of Selectmen from 1988 to 2003. DeRosa also served on several other town boards, including the Planning Board, Zoning Board of Adjustment, Budget Committee and the board of trustees for the town's library.

He was also a member of the town's call Fire Department for 22 years, and a member of the Atkinson Lions Club.

Fire Chief Mike Murphy, who served with DeRosa on the Fire Department, said he will be missed.

"He really did care about the community and the townspeople," Murphy said. "He was always willing to help in a number of ways, including as a member of the Fire Department, the Atkinson Lions Club and many different town boards. He was a good friend of mine. He was always very supportive of the Fire Department and the town as a whole."

Selectmen Chairman Paul Sullivan, who served with DeRosa on the Fire Department for about 10 years, said flags were flown at half-staff at town buildings yesterday in honor of DeRosa's dedication to Atkinson.

"He really enjoyed the town of Atkinson," Sullivan said. "

DeRosa owned DeRosa of Boston, Jewelers, which he established in Boston in 1968 and moved to Plaistow in 1980 before selling the business when he retired a few years ago.

He is survived by his wife, Ellen (Moy) DeRosa of Atkinson; two sons, Gregory J. DeRosa of Merrimack and Jonathan J. DeRosa of Atkinson; and a daughter, Christina M. Hayes of Derry.

Calling hours are Wednesday from 5 to 9 p.m. at Brookside Chapel & Funeral Home, 116 Main St., Plaistow.