Rossi leaves after 31 years of service
By David Combs
| Joe Rossi, a ground maintenance
worker, is officially retiring December 16, 1999, after
over 31 years at the college. As a result of accumulated
leave, he left the campus in late October. Rossi started on October 28, 1968, as a member of the custodial staff. He has seen a huge growth in the size of the college and number of students enrolled. |
 |
"I helped move everything over from the original Quonset huts to the new building the college uses today," Joe recalls.
Prior to starting at IVCC Rossi worked at several plants in the area including Standard Oil. He also farmed in addition to working full time.
His duties at IVCC were largely behind the scenes but important. He was one of the few employees who completed the necessary steps to receive a state pesticide license. Later on he served as a member of the labor negotiations board representing the college employees in contract negotiations
Rossi kept a low profile at the college, but was well liked and respected.
Frank Zeller, vice president of business services, described Rossi as "a true professional."
Zeller said, "You could always count on Joe Rossi taking care of whatever problem he was presented with. If at 3 a.m. when he was plowing snow, the plow would break, he would weld it himself or find someone who could and at that hour so he could finish his job.
"He enjoyed his job, he took pride in it, he had an excellent attitude," Zeller continued. "We’ll miss him, no doubt about that."
After retiring Rossi definitely plans to stay very busy.
"At age 56 I am just too young to hang everything up," he said. "I plan to spend a lot of time with my grandchildren."
He will also look into part time work in the local area.
Joe and his wife Roseanne have five children and seven grandchildren with another due in December.
He shares his secret to success as always being friendly and willing to look at the glass as half full not empty.
"The best memory of working at IVCC was being blessed with meeting and working with so many nice and wonderful students, teachers, and support staff," he said.