Obituary of Ronald M. Rose

ROSE, Ronald Morris, 75 years old, of Symmes Township, Ohio passed away Thursday, October 24, 2019. Ron was born in Vancouver, Washington, but lived in the greater Dayton area for a time. Ron served for seven years in the United States Air Force, being honorably discharged as a Captain in 1975. Throughout his professional life Ron started, developed, and sold several businesses and had a seat on the American Stock Exchange for a time as a market maker in options. Ron’s final business venture was EriNet, one of the largest regional internet service providers in the United States which he sold in 1999.

Upon retirement, Ron fulfilled his lifelong ambition to become a successful tournament poker player. He traveled through Europeand the United States making a name for himself as a poker champion in the World Series of Poker and the World Poker Tour. The highlight of his career was winning the inaugural WPT Battle of Champions and a gold bracelet in the Seniors event of the World Series of Poker. 

Ron taught poker to individuals and groups and mentored other tournament players. He was also an accomplished duplicate bridge player earning the ACBL Mini-McKinney award in his first year of competition. 

Above all, however, he cherished his family who meant the world to him. He was surrounded by his family during his final days which gave him much comfort. Ron is survived by his wife of 51 years, Mary Jo Rose, his children, Michael Rose (Barbara), Brian Rose (Marilyn), and Christina Sprance (Brian), his grandchildren, Marcella Rose, Madalena Rose, Anna Maria Rose, and Lorenzo Rose, and his brother, Stanley Rose (Devon). He was preceded in death by his mother, Lula Rose, his father Elmer Rose, and his grandson Salvatore Giovanni Rose.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 9:30 am on Tuesday, October 29, 2019 at St. Gertrude Church, Madeira, Ohio, followed by burial at Gate of Heaven Cemetery. The Mass will be preceded by a visitation at the parish center beginning at 8:30 am.