Dr. Edward J. DeRose

Dr. Edward J. DeRose, 82, died peacefully in the Pueblo family home on Jan. 22, 2017. Doc Eddie was born Nov. 21, 1934. He was preceded in death by his parents, Bruno and Veronica (Palladino) DeRose; nephew, Scott Elizondo; in-laws, Ruby and Paul Bryson; and brothers-in-law, Benny Bryson and Verlyn Bryson. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Neta (Bryson) DeRose; sisters, Vivian (Sel) Elizondo and Bernadette (Adolph) Padula; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Gary and Sharon Bryson; children, Michael (Tanya) DeRose, Paula (Kirk) Kochenberger, Mark (Lanette) DeRose, Dan (Kerry) DeRose and Lisa DeRose; grandchildren, Clint DeRose, Craig DeRose, Kristen (Brent) Hannafious, Lexi DeRose, Gia DeRose, Amanda Love, Nick Kochenberger, Kelli Pershin (Christopher), Alyse Taibi (Sean), Erik Koch-enberger, Anna Meisner (Lee), Bruno DeRose, Matt Hill (Stephanie), Kyle McInnis (Mila), and Kevin McInnis (Aleshia); great-grand-children, Kyvin Hill, Oceana Hill, Austin Pershin, Eli Edward Per-shin, Brantley McInnis, and baby boy Hannafious (any day now). Doc Eddie graduated from Centennial High School in 1952, and was an alumnus of Pueblo Junior College. He attended Denver University and earned his DDS from Creighton University in 1961. He practiced dentistry in Pueblo for 43 years. He also served two years in the U.S. Army, stationed in Germany. Doc Eddie’s community involvement was extensive. He was past board member/president, Delta Dental of Colorado; President of De-Rose/Padula Enterprises; member of PEDCO; member of the Pueblo Chamber of Commerce; past-president, Southeast Dental Society; past board member, Minnequa Bank; past board member, Sunflower Bank; member of the Pigskin Buckaroos, which supported youth through the Colorado State Fair; founding member, Friends of Football; and major donor, Pueblo YMCA Fund for the DeRose Children’s Daycare Center. Honors include the Pueblo Citizen of the Year in 2008, Italian Citizen of the Year, Greater Pueblo Sports Association Hall of Fame (2008) and the Pueblo Hall of Fame (2015). A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, January 25, 2017 at Praise Assembly of God, 2000 Troy Ave., with Pastor Steve Chavez presiding. In lieu of flowers and food, donations can be made to the Friends of Football, 504 Grand Ave. Pueblo, CO 81003.