Obituary: David Rose, 69, of Pentwater.

Dave Rose

Obituary: David Rose, 69, of Pentwater.

David Stanford Rose, age 69, of Pentwater, passed away suddenly from natural causes on Saturday, December 11, 2021 while hunting with friends. Dave was born in Omer, Michigan on November 9, 1952, the son of Olaf and Pearl Rose. He graduated from Tawas Area High School with the Class of 1970 where he met the love of his life and high school sweetheart, Susan (Vaughan) Rose. He was the captain of his high school football team and attended Ferris State College where he played on the Ferris State Bulldogs’ football team.  

Dave’s degree from Ferris State led him to work for many years in the HVAC industry where he owned his own business and then become a successful manufacturer’s representative. Later, Dave became a licensed realtor and also enjoyed renting properties along Lake Michigan’s shoreline.    

Dave and Sue built a beautiful life together while they raised their three daughters in Grandville. He was an enthusiastic supporter of his daughters’ competitive cheerleading teams and local high school sports, and was loved and adored by his daughters’ many friends. In 2011, Dave and Sue moved to Pentwater on a permanent basis at their cottage, “Camp David.” Dave treasured his direct view of Pentwater Lake and loved hosting his family and neighbors for fishing off the dock, boat rides in his 1952 Chris Craft, and infamous Fourth of July fireworks show. He was immensely proud of his daughters’ professional and personal accomplishments and frequently traveled with Sue to visit them and their families across the country. He is adored by his six grandchildren.  

Dave was an experienced and enthusiastic hunter and fisherman. He traveled the world to hunt big and small game, enjoyed hunting with his beloved Labrador retrievers, taking frequent fishing trips with his brother, and sharing his love and appreciation for the outdoors. Dave was a life-long lover of history and enjoyed his many travels abroad with Sue, especially to visit their “fourth daughter” in Spain. Dave was well known for his honesty and integrity, sense of humor, infectious smile and laugh, immense generosity, and many cherished friendships.  

In addition to his wife of 48 years, Dave is survived by his three daughters, Lesley (Rose) Holland of Frisco, Texas, Monica (Rose) Cafaro of Wellesley, Massachusetts, and Emilee (Rose) Cafarelli of La Grange, Illinois; sons-in-law, Chad Holland, Nicholas Cafaro, and Matt Cafarelli; his six beloved grandchildren, Carmen Rose Holland, Bryce Stanford Holland, Juliana Rose Cafaro, Dominic David Cafaro, Jack David Cafarelli and Ella Rose Cafarelli; mother-in-law Betty Vaughan; siblings Sharon (Jack) Wolters, Carolyn Berg, and Larry (Penny) Rose; sister and brother in law Carol (Vaughan) and John Church, aunt-in-law Phyllis Stonehouse, and numerous loving cousins, nieces and nephews. 

The family held a private service at the Centenary United Methodist Church in Pentwater. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Pentwater Lake Association, a 501(c)(3) corporation, specifically their annual youth fishing tournament: The Pentwater Lake Association, Inc., P.O. Box 825, Pentwater, MI 49449.