Eugene Rossitch

Eugene 'Papa' Rossitch, 77, of Winston-Salem, NC died peacefully on December 8, 2011 at Forsyth Medical Center after a courageous battle with cancer. He was born in Cuba on March 17, 1934 to Alejandro and Eugenia Rossitch. Gene received a bachelor of arts and bachelor of science degrees from the Instituto de Guines in Cuba. He earned the certified public accountant designation from the University of Havana. In March, 1962 Gene and his family fled communist Cuba in order to raise their children in freedom. After a short stay in Miami, the Rossitch family made their home in Winston-Salem in 1963. Gene retired in 1997 as Senior Vice President and Group Executive at Wachovia Corporation where he was manager of the Foreign Exchange Group for the bank. He joined Wachovia Bank in 1967 as a system analyst, became operations manager for the International Group in 1969, and was elected Vice President in 1972. He was named manager of foreign exchange for Wachovia in 1982. He was elected Senior Vice President in 1987 and named Group Executive in 1992. Prior to joining Wachovia, Gene worked as an internal auditor for Singer Company in High Point, NC. Gene was very involved in professional organizations. He was past president of the North Carolina World Trade Association, Triad World Trade Club and the Piedmont Winston-Salem Chapter of the National Association of Accountants. He is a former member, treasurer and chairman of the finance committee of Carolina Medicorp Inc., and a member of FOREX USA Inc. Gene always stressed the importance of community involvement to his children and led by example. He served as a volunteer translator for the police and sheriff's departments, and district courts. Gene was a former co-chairman of the International Services Committee of the American Red Cross, and a former director of the International Trade Center. He served on the Boards of Bishop McGuinness Catholic High School; the University of North Carolina Dental Foundation; and Senior Services. Gene's faith was a very important part of his life. He was a member of Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church since the 1960s, where he served on the Parish Council for many years and was also involved with the Knights of Columbus. He served on the Board of The Foundation of the Catholic Diocese of Charlotte. Gene was preceded in death by his parents, his son, Dr. Eugene Rossitch, Jr., his brother Alejandro Rossitch and his sister Miriam Rossitch. Gene is survived by Martha Carmen Rossitch, his loving and devoted wife of 54 years. He is also survived by four sons: Dr. Alexander Rossitch and wife Karen of Charlotte, NC and their children Alexander, Hanna, Sophie, Lauren and Peter; Dr. John Rossitch and wife Cynthia of Concord, NC and their children Zachary, Eric and Nicholas; Mr. Richard Rossitch and wife Linda of Charlotte, NC and their children Kelley and Carson; Dr. Michael Rossitch and wife Shannon of Kennesaw, GA and their children Charlie, Matt and Andy. He is also survived by his daughter-in-law Cindy of Concord, NC (widow of his late son Gene, Jr.) and their children Eugene III, Katharine and Elizabeth. Gene is also survived by two sisters: Alexa Rossitch Iruela of Winston-Salem, NC and her children Dr. Maria Iruela Fritts (and her children Harry and Emma who were like grandchildren to Gene), Frank Iruela, and Carlos Iruela; Raquel Rossitch of Miami, FL and her children Maria Eugenia Rossitch Montoto, Dr. Alejandro Lopez Rossitch and Manuel Lopez Rossitch. Special thanks to the many exceptional and compassionate caregivers who looked after Gene and his wife Carmen over this past year. The family will receive friends on Sunday, December 11, 2011 from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Hayworth-Miller Funeral Home, 3315 Silas Creek Parkway, Winston-Salem, NC. A funeral mass and celebration of Gene's life will be held at Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church, 1730 Link Road, Winston-Salem, NC on December 12, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. Burial will follow at Oaklawn Memorial Gardens, 3250 High Point Road, Winston-Salem, NC 27107. Memorial contributions may be made to the Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church Building Fund. Online condolences may be made through www.hayworth-miller.com

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