Andrew David Rose died unexpectedly at his Truro home on March 19, 2025. He died of natural causes, said family members. He was 61.
The son of the late Austin “Ozzie” L. Rose and Mary Louise (Ferreira) Rose, Andrew was born on July 3, 1963 in Hyannis. He grew up in Truro with eight brothers and sisters and attended the Truro Central School.
“He was a really good kid,” said his sister Mary. “He was a Boy Scout,” said another sister, April. “We have him on video racing in the Soapbox Derby, helmet on. I can still hear his unforgettable giggle.”
Andy attended Cape Tech for two years, then transferred to Provincetown High School, where he played baseball and was chosen as the “class wolf” and as the student with the “biggest appetite” in his yearbook. He graduated in 1982.
Andy joined the Navy in September 1982, was trained as a hull maintenance technician, and was assigned to the USS Pigeon, a submarine rescue ship stationed in San Diego. During his four-year enlistment, Andy earned a Good Conduct Award, a Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, and a Battle “E” Ribbon for a battle efficiency competition.
After his discharge, Andy returned to Truro, and in 1986 he was hired by Paul Souza to work at Bayberry Gardens as a mechanic, machine operator, planter, and truck driver. “He was an incredibly skilled tree climber,” said Natalie Van Staden, Paul’s daughter. “He could maneuver a delivery truck into the narrowest of driveways in Provincetown, and he could lift just about anything. He was so strong.”
In 1992, Andy left Bayberry to work as a plumber but returned to the garden center in 1995 and continued to work there until his death. “He would help out at any hour of the day,” said Natalie, “and if something ignited a smile, he lit up the room. If you could make Andy laugh at work, your day was made.”
In his free time, Andy enjoyed photography, gardening, and model trains. At one point, he had a train setup mounted high along the walls through most of his house.
Andy “struggled in the later part of his life with mental illness,” said his sister Mary, but he remained dedicated to his work, his family, and the people he worked with. “He had a beautiful smile and a heart of gold,” Mary said.
His family and friends remember him as “thoughtful and kind in the most quiet and inconspicuous of ways,” said Natalie.
Andy is survived by his siblings: Austin Rose and wife Dawnne, Leo Rose and wife Tracey, Mary H. Rose, Timmy Rose and partner Linda, Glen Rose and wife Jen, and Janice and Ray Roderick, all of Truro; Diana and Kevin Duarte of Mashpee; and April and Bill Booth of Guilford, Conn.; by his godchild, Holly Rose Lamarco and husband Chris; and by his nieces and nephews: Eve Dorr and husband Kyle; Simone Rose; Leo Rose Jr. and wife Arielle; Joseph McKinnon; Heidi Hanson; Nicole Conrad; Rebecca and Kellie Blome; Richard Rose and wife Amy; Kelsey Eggleston and husband Andrew; Shannon, Riley, and Kevin Duarte; Austin, Sadie, and Thomas Booth; and Devin and Carmen Roderick; and several great-nieces and -nephews.
He was predeceased by his sister Anna Noreen, nieces Anna Noelle and Abby Rose Booth, and nephew Brian Dumont.
A private celebration and burial are planned.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Andy’s honor can be made to the Gosnold Behavioral Center in Hyannis, the Duffy Health Center, or the American Heart Association.
