Brian E. Rossi

Brian Ernest Rossi, 77, of Bonita Springs, FL, passed away on Thursday, October 4, 2018. Formerly of Bloomfield Hills, MI, he had been a Bonita Springs resident since 1998. He was born March 19, 1941 in Matlock, England, the son of Ernest Albert and Lilian Grace (née Higginson) Rossi. Born at Wellesley Castle in Matlock, raised in London, educated at London School of Industrial Design, Brian became one of the world’s top automobile designers. He worked in Europe, Asia, Australia and the US. His entire career was dedicated to Ford Motor Company. During the time that Brian worked as a Chief Designer of Ford Australia and Asia Pacific, the Ford brand truly became a distinguished world-wide brand. Brian was a gifted man, and he made even the most mundane aspects of life into art. He lived his life beautifully – every day, every hour, making everything that surrounded him, beautiful and thus - meaningful. He had a remarkable quality to draw outstanding people into his circle, many of whom became his dear friends. Brian was known for his impeccable sense of style, refinement, warmth and sensitivity, and above all - strength and courage. As one of the Brian’s favorite personas, Winston Churchill, used to say: “Courage is the first of human qualities because it is the quality that guarantees all the others.” Brian’s courage – is what we all witnessed during his long struggle with his illness. A gentleman to the core, with unmistakably English sense of humor, beautiful manners, intrinsic elegance, and tact, Brian was a rare case of a truly cultured and refined person in an overly casual and hurried modern world. Brian loved life, loved his family, his home, his friends and he loved cats. But more than anything, he loved good Martini at 6 o’clock in the evening! Mr. Rossi is survived by his loving wife and companion of 12 years, Olga Arkhangelskaya; his beloved daughter, Nina Rossi of Melbourne, Australia; stepdaughter, Leeza Arkhangelskaya of Naples, FL; and many dear friends. A memorial service will be held Friday, October 12, 2018 at 2:00 p.m. at Shikany’s Bonita Funeral Home, 28300 Tamiami Trail South, Bonita Springs. A reception will follow at 4:00 p.m. at LaPlaya Beach and Golf Resort in the Ballroom on the East (Bay) side. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial contributions be made to the Naples Cat Alliance, www.naplescatalliance.org. Arrangements are being handled by Shikany’s Bonita Funeral Home – Family Owned Since 1978.

Brian E. Rossi

March 19, 1941 - October 4, 2018