Abraham V. "Irving" Rosner, 96, of East Haven, passed away November 5 after a brief illness. He was born, March 23, 1914 in Newark, NJ but spent most of his life in the New Haven area, graduating from Commercial High School, class of 1932 and serving in the Merchant Marines during WWII. He was an outstanding football, baseball and hockey player during his high school years and attended prep school in Montpelier,Vermont on a hockey scholarship. His early career included stints as a boxer and professional umpire in the Piedmont League where he struck up lasting friendships with players and owners alike. He settled in New Haven after the war with his young family and established Ross-Darwin Foods, a well-know wholesale grocery distributor. He also enjoyed success as an entrepreneur and businessman, and was a private investor in local businesses. Upon retirement from active business, he traveled extensively and enjoyed talking with people at all stations of life around the world and was a well-know figure in the New Haven area. He was a great storyteller, drawing on his extensive experiences through the Depression, the war, and in the sports world. His granddaughter Johanna spent the last year recording his stories for a family history. Needless to say, she ran out of tape. He is survived by his wife, Suzanne Trenary Rosner, his son Mark (Jacqueline), and daughters Gale Alanby, Patty (Rob) Kearns and Jane (Dennis) Bigler, grandchildren Ian Spatz, Johanna Kearns, Meredith Goodman, Josh Kearns, Greer Croxford, Max Kearns, Nicki Humphrey, Joseph Rapa, Tenley Spatz,, Hollen Spatz, Cornelius Kearns, Alexandra Bigler, Michael Rosner, Ceciley Bigler,Katherine Rosner, Robert and Holly Croxford and six great grandchildren, Karolina and Max Kearns, Jemma and Jordan Goodman, Laszlo Kearns, and Caleb Humphrey. He is also survived by his twin sister, Leah Vishno of Hallendale, Fl , Sandy (Alan) Ryysylainen of St. Mary's GA, his sister-in-law Ruth Rosner, four nieces and three nephews and dear family friend Earl "Skippy" Tucker. He was predeceased by his parents, Max and Frances, and his brother Milton.

Funeral service will be private with interment in the Independent Vilner Lodge Cemetery, Gerald St., East Haven. Charitable contributions in his memory can be made to Congregation Beth El-Keser Israel or St. Jude's Children's Hospital.