Stephen Hollyday Rosser
Service of Remembrance
Saturday
February 17, 2024
12PM
Location:
Church of the Heavenly Rest
1085 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10128.
For information, contact the Church at (212) 289-3400, ext. 214.
This service will be live streamed from the Church website: heavenlyrest.org
Memorial Service
Saturday
April 13, 2024
11:00 A.M.
Cannon Memorial Chapel and Columbarium
where his remains will be inurned
Memorial Service:
Saturday
April 27, 2024
at
St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church (Tampa, Florida)
at 2:00 p.m.
STEPHEN HOLLYDAY ROSSER
Born June 29, 1954 in Danville, VA; Died January 18, 2024 in New York, NY.
Steve was the son of Aubrey J. (Buddy) Rosser and Anne Burch Plunkett Rosser, both deceased. He was the brother of Aubrey J. Rosser, Jr. (Patricia Nichols) of Altavista, VA, Philip W. Rosser of Altavista, VA, and Jonathan B. Rosser (Sanya Knight Rosser) of Merrick, NY. He was also the dear Uncle of Aubrey J. (Jay) Rosser, III (Nicole Rosser) of McLean, VA, Allison W. Rosser (Brian Kenney), of Seattle, WA, and Pierce S. Rosser, of Merrick, NY. He is survived by his great-nephews, Samuel J. Rosser and Beau W. Rosser, and great-niece, Noelle E. Rosser, all of McLean, VA, and by his sister-in-law, Donna H. Rosser, of Altavista, VA. Numerous other relatives remain to celebrate his life, including an Aunt, Lilian Rosser Moore, of Louisburg, NC and an Uncle, Charles Austin Beckett, of Richmond, VA, as well as many cousins in Virginia, North Carolina, Colorado, California, Wisconsin and New York.
Steve’s father, Buddy, was a Virginia Baptist Pastor. He and his brothers grew up in their father’s churches mainly in Roanoke and Richmond, Virginia. Later in life, while Steve was in College, he celebrated his mother, Anne, graduating from Union Theological Seminary and also becoming a Pastor. In all of his church and school settings he was exposed to wonderful and talented musicians, who instilled in him a love for music and the arts. His parents purchased a Steinway spinet piano for him when he was 9, which allowed him to daily explore and play the music he loved.
There never was a time in his life when Steve did not participate in a choir, whether in church or at school. At the University of Richmond, where he received his undergraduate degree, he sang in the Glee Club, University Choir, and Schola Cantorum. He also participated in productions of the Drama Department.
Shortly after graduating from college, Steve relocated to New York. After briefly working in banking, he began a career at CUNY, serving as Assistant to the Deputy Chancellor. Upon retirement from CUNY, he moved to Tampa, FL, where for 7 years he again worked in banking. He missed New York, however, and moved back in 2014, working at Chelsea Market Baskets for a while before beginning a new association with Apple.
Steve found joy, wherever he lived, in being a part of a quality choir. During his time in New York, he sang in the choirs of several churches, including Trinity Church (Wall Street), Calvary Church, and finally at Church of the Heavenly Rest, with whom he had a never-ending love affair. He also enjoyed serving with the Choirs of St. Ann’s Church-Bridgehampton, NY, and St. Andrew’s Church-Tampa, FL when he resided in those communities. His musical talent brought him into Pomerium and Lionheart, both outstanding early music ensembles of New York City. On occasion, he performed with the New York Philharmonic Orchestra Chorus, Collegiate Chorale, and other New York performance groups.
In his domestic life, he enjoyed keeping up with his family and friends in Virginia and elsewhere, often staying on the phone into the late hours of the night. He was a prodigious horticulturalist. He loved to have flowers and plants in or about his home, from seedlings to rescue projects. He would pay close attention to the plants he found in his frequent walks through Manhattan residential neighborhoods, and would often provide rescue if he thought they weren’t being properly cared for.
Steve’s family history and soul were definitely Virginian, however we all knew his heart was in New York. He loved every aspect of the City, as reflected in the photos he shared with us on Facebook. They demonstrated his sharp eye for New York’s existential beauty and vibrant activity. When describing the City, he frequently said, “When you want to know the story of New York, just look up.” To him, New York was a special place, from which he received such great fulfillment.
Steve’s most remarkable attribute, however, was his love of those around him. These included family, friends and associates. He learned early in life, in observing his father and mother, that the main characteristic of one’s faith should be empathy. He observed that this should be the highest virtue. Because of this understanding, he treasured sharing stories and experiences with those whom he had the privilege to know, often giving advice, whether requested or not. In all respects, however, he made sure to take all the time necessary to assure that the conversation was enjoyable and memorable,
He loved so many…..so much.
A Service of Remembrance will be held at Noon (music at 11:45 a.m.) on Saturday, February 17, 2024 at Church of the Heavenly Rest, 1085 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10128. For information, contact the Church at (212) 289-3400, ext. 214. This service will be live streamed from the Church website: heavenlyrest.org
Memorial Services are also planned for the University of Richmond, in Virginia, at Cannon Memorial Chapel and Columbarium on Saturday, April 13, 2024 at 11:00 a.m., where his remains will be inurned, and at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, Tampa, Florida on Saturday, April 27, 2024 at 2:00 p.m.
For those desiring to make a donation, the family has requested consideration of Church of the Heavenly Rest.
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Donna M. Hamilton, a beloved mother, was born on December 27, 1943 in Kansas City, MO and peacefully passed away in the early evening of October 31, 2025. Donna’s faith guided her outlook to motherhood and to life. Donna grew up throughout the state of Texas. After graduating high school, her family moved to Washington, D. C. She eventually met and later married Vernon Hamilton (1930-2014); they had three children. Donna enjoyed participating in her church's events, embroidery, watching Hallmark movies, and most of all being with her family and friends. She had a beautiful smile and a kind, friendly personality that was noticed by everyone. Donna retired from New York Presbyterian Hospital after working as a Physician’s Assistant for over 35 years. She worked in the ambulatory surgery and plastic surgery departments, but her passion was in plastic surgery. Donna was phenomenal and highly respected in her field and often would be called upon to help the student physicians. Donna is survived by her three children: Scott, Melody, and Todd, an older brother, John Scott, and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Her grandson, Hamilton, who lived nearby, was often at her apartment visiting, going to the store for her when it became too difficult, or trying to keep her spirit up. Donna was loving, kind, charming, and unforgettable. She will be deeply missed by all who knew her and she will continue to inspire us all. Two quotes that our mother always told us (and the grandchildren and great-grandchildren): “treat others the way you wanted to be treated” and “do not compare yourself to others because for always there will be greater and lesser persons than you.”
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