Gregory Lawrence Rose

Gregory Lawrence Rose, 76, of Roanoke, Va., passed away on Wednesday, August 23, 2023, surrounded by his family. Born in Queens, N.Y. on May 17, 1947, to the late Clinton Laurence and Anne Burke Rose, he is also preceded in death by his loving wife of 34 years, Valerie Rose, who passed in December of 2005 after a battle with cancer. Greg grew up in College Point, N.Y. and was close to his many cousins. As a teen, he loved football and played quarterback for the neighborhood team. He was also an avid swimmer and spent his summers as a lifeguard. He had a brilliant mind and a deep passion for intellectual pursuits and learning. His favorite subjects were physics and math, and he would always be found with a book in his hand. He was a big believer in the transformative power of education. He worked hard in school and went on to earn his bachelors degree in mathematics from Queens College and later his MBA from Columbia University. He worked in the early part of his career for General Electric and then in International Banking for Bankers Trust in Manhattan. Later, he returned to school to earn a second masters degree in engineering and went on to work for NASA as Aerospace Engineer in Maryland before retiring in his mid-50s. Greg met his first wife, Valerie, after he asked her to dance at a wedding. They married in May 1971, raised two children, Heather Rose Swedin and Brad Rose, and spent over 30 years together in Huntington, New York on Long Island and in Columbia, Maryland. After the passing of his first wife, he was devasted for many years before meeting Joann Palomeno Rose. A loving and devoted wife, she brought new life to him; they married in 2012 and welcomed a daughter, Zoey Rose, in 2015. A self-proclaimed geek, Greg loved Star Trek, nature documentaries and studying quantum physics and advanced math. He had an adventurous spirit and would love to explore his areas surroundings, often going on weekend walks and hikes with his family or learning the history of the area. He liked going to the ballet and enjoyed many performances at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC. In his younger years, he played tennis and enjoyed biking. He loved being at the beach and enjoying the sounds of the surf. Above all, Greg was a loving, kind man eternally devoted to his family. Those left to cherish his memory are his wife, Joann Palomeno Rose; children, Heather Rose Swedin and husband, Jason Swedin; Brad Rose and wife, Heather Rose; and Zoey Rose; grandchildren, Jackson Swedin, Sadie Swedin, Kennedy Rose and Alex Rose; as well as siblings, Megan Rose Chernick and Tom Rose. The family will welcome friends on Saturday, September 23, 2023, at 2:00 p.m., for a Celebration of Life service in the chapel of John M. Oakey & Son Funeral Home, Salem, Va. Pastor Greg Irby, who served as their hospital chaplain, will officiate the service. Visitation will be held for one hour prior to the service, beginning at 1:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to College Possible (www.collegepossible.org) a non-profit organization dedicated to helping those from underprivileged backgrounds go to and graduate college. The family would like to extend their sincerest gratitude to family and friends who offered prayers of strength and healing and for all the encouraging messages of love and support they have received during this difficult time. Service Details. Visitation When Saturday, September 23rd, 2023 1:00pm - 2:00pm Location John M. Oakey & Son Chapel Address 305 Roanoke Boulevard Salem, Virginia 24153