Irwin has laid one of its most tireless supporters to rest.
Mayor Daniel T. Rose — a decorated World War II veteran, successful businessman and decadeslong public servant who spent 10 years on borough council before being elected mayor in 1986 — died April 23, 2015. He was 94.
“He was a masterful politician who cared greatly about the town,” said his son, Dan C. Rose.
Born in Hahntown in 1921, Mr. Rose enlisted in the Army Air Corps after the Dec. 7, 1941, attack on Pearl Harbor and served as a bomber pilot. After being shot down over Budapest, Hungary, he was held in prisoner of war camps for 11 months before being liberated on April 29, 1945.
Last November, Mr. Rose marked Veteran's Day and the 70th anniversary of his capture by discussing his military experience with the Norwin Star.
He said getting a chance to train to be a pilot fulfilled a lifelong dream of learning to fly.
“Growing up, I used to make model airplanes from my own plans and always thought it would be great to fly, but I really never thought it was something I'd get a chance to do,” he said.
Don Kattic, commander of Irwin and North Huntingdon Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 781, said Mr. Rose was a fixture at events organized to honor veterans.
“He never failed to show up for parades or services we held for deceased members of the military,” Kattic said. “He was a super guy who loved and respected the men and women who served their country. He's going to be missed.”
The VFW conducted a ceremony for Mr. Rose at the funeral home Sunday. He was interred in Union Cemetery in Irwin on Monday with military honors.
Kattic plans to pay tribute to Mr. Rose at future veterans events by setting up a vacant chair draped with a prisoner-of-war flag and a helmet.
After being honorably discharged from the military and returning home to Irwin, Mr. Rose completed a bachelor's degree at the University of Pittsburgh on the GI bill and entered a successful career in the insurance business.
“Dan retired from Prudential Insurance the same month that I started, some 32 years ago,” said Irwin Councilwoman Gail Macioce. “He then became an independent agent, and we often discussed the evolution of the insurance business and our shared interest in Irwin, which gave us much to talk about.”
Macioce said even when she and Mr. Rose disagreed, “it never touched our friendship.”
“He was a true gentleman, and his love of life and people was contagious,” she said.
Macioce said she spoke to Mr. Rose on the day he died.
“He was in great spirits and assured me that he would be home soon and resuming his job as mayor,” she said. “I promised to visit once he came home.”
Mr. Rose died later that day of heart failure at UPMC Mercy in Pittsburgh.
In 2013, council recognized Mr. Rose's years of service by renaming Bell Park along Main Street, Dan Rose Park.
“I'm the PR man. I promote Irwin,” Rose told Trib Total Media in September 2013. “That makes me happy — meeting the people.”
Mr. Rose was re-elected that year and served as mayor until his death.
“His service to his country did not stop at the end of the war,” said Bob Wayman, council president. “He continued to serve Irwin and took those duties very seriously. He always put the needs of others before his.”
Wayman said Mr. Rose set an example of how public officials should conduct themselves.
“I, like many others, have admired his shining example, dedication and commitment to doing the right thing,” Wayman said. “He was a devoted father and a role model for all. Dan was modest and humble and would often remind us that he wasn't really a war hero but a man simply doing his duty out of love of his country.”
As mayor, Mr. Rose was responsible for oversight of Irwin's police department.
Police Chief Roger Pivirotto described Mr. Rose as “an outstanding boss and friend.”
“He would check in with me regularly to ask if there was anything we needed or if there was anything he could do for us,” Pivirotto said. “It was clear to me that he was a person who cared about the community. He will be sorely missed and always remembered.”
Longtime Irwin manager Mary Benko said while Mr. Rose was involved in politics, he did not possess a separate public persona.
“He was a politician, but you wouldn't necessarily know it,” she said. “He was the same person — a truly nice man who treated everyone the same — no matter what situation you met him,” she said.
Benko said Mr. Rose enjoyed being out in the community chatting with residents.
“He was very much a people person,” she said. “He used to go to different churches just to see what their services were like and to meet people.”
In 2013 interview, Mr. Rose said the opportunity to serve as Irwin's mayor was “an honor.”
“I love the town. I love the community,” he said. “My citizens — if I could help them, I help them.”
Tony LaRussa is a Trib Total Media staff writer. Reach him at tlarussa@tribweb.com.
