Obituary of Jorge Manuel De La Rosa

Jorge Manuel DeLaRosa, 73, of Phoenix, Arizona, passed away and went home to the Lord on September 2, 2023, while in Hospice Care. His belief in God supported him in his final days and gave him peace.   

Jorge Manuel DeLaRosa was born on July 24, 1950, in Silvis, Illinois to Carmen and Manuel DeLaRosa, who predeceased him. He grew up in a large, loving family with 5 sisters and 3 brothers. He had a close relationship with his grandfather and grandmother Lopez. His family is where he began his love for Mexican traditions and Mexican music.  His favorite Mexican song was El Caballo Blanco.   

As a teen, he loved football, wrestling, track and field and baseball where he earned several awards. As he got older, he trained as a MIG welder at John Deere Plow and Planter in Moline, Illinois and John Deere Tracker in Dubuque, Iowa. This sparked his love for restoring cars, the outdoors and riding horses.   

In his early years he met and married Kathleen A. Bivins and started a family.  He was a member of Sacred Heart Church in Moline, Illinois. Jorge is survived by his daughter Rebecca Jean DeLaRosa, his son Justin John DeLaRosa, and three grandchildren as well as his sisters, Ava, Blanca, Carmen, Deanna, and Elizabeth; his brothers Jesus and Jose; and several nieces and nephews. Jorge was preceded in passing by his brother Juan DeLaRosa.   

The funeral service will be held at the Meldrum Mortuary and performed by Deacon Guzman of MorningStar Apostolic Church. The memorial will be held at Meldrum Mortuary, 52 N. Macdonald, Mesa, Arizona on September 23, 2023, at 11:00 am. His family will be present to welcome loved ones. 

Please send memorial donations to Military Assistance Mission at https://app.azmam.org/MAM/give/. Military Assistance Mission provides financial assistance and morale aid to Arizona military and their families and our wounded heroes. MAM strives to provide financial assistance each year to 120 Arizona active duty, guard & reserve military service members. Each year approximately 2,500 military members and families benefit from MAM/s morale/event programs. 

His daughter and son would like to especially thank Hospice staff, Aunt Deanna DeLaRosa and Ralph DeLaRosa.