Vincent Francis Rossetti, a retired custom homebuilder, whose company worked in dozens of Georgia communities, died of cancer Wednesday at his home in Peachtree City. He was 85.
Mr. Rossetti, a native of Baltimore, came to area more than 40 years ago, bringing with him broad knowledge and vast experience in the building industry. He established Ravin Homes and built his first Georgia houses in Peachtree City during the 1970s. Those custom designed homes helped make the city into the thriving community of more than 40,000 residents that it is today. As he expanded the company’s operations, he insisted on solid business practices and customer relations. Ravin Homes has since worked in 58 communities throughout Fayette County and along the southern side of Atlanta.
Mr. Rossetti, the third son of Angelo and Tullia Rossetti, Italian immigrants who settled in Baltimore, attended parochial schools and graduated from Mount Saint Joseph High School in the city, where he excelled in football and earned the state record for discus. He attended Gettysburg College in Pennsylvania, where he earned a bachelor’s degree and more plaudits for his feats on the gridiron. In his later years, he developed strong skills in golf and could often be seen on local courses. He scored a hole-in-one at the Flat Creek Club in Peachtree City.
In May 1952, he wed the former Constance Quinn, whom he had met at a Catholic social for young adults. The couple resided in Baltimore for several years while Mr. Rossetti built a solid reputation in the construction trade, including several years as an executive with Ryland Homes. The Rossettis also restored a century old farm and ran a small cattle operation in central Pennyslvania. The family relocated to Conroe, Texas in 1972, when Mr. Rossetti helped Ryland Homes established a presence there.
After much success in the industry, Mr. Rossetti decided to branch out on his own and chose Peachtree City, which at the time was little more than tracts of undeveloped land with about 2,300 residents, as the base for his fledgling company. He joined the Homebuilders Association of Midwest, Ga. and served a term as its president. He became known for his willingness to stay engaged with customers and remain open to their requests. This helped him build a reputation for consummate service as well as an enduring product. He encouraged customers to offer input on the details of their homes and willingly adapted their suggestions to his designs.
The Rossettis were married 62 years and are the parents of five sons and two daughters. As the patriarch, Mr. Rossetti liked to boast that he was a father with one child for every day of the week. At one time or another, his wife and nearly all the children worked for Ravin Homes, which remains a family owned company.
In retirement, Mr. Rossetti found time to indulge his lifelong passion for farming, golf and hunting. He spent many pleasant days on the family farm in Fayetteville, where he raised chickens and grew vegetables. He also set up a woodwork shop where he built many pieces of furniture for his family and for charity auctions.
Throughout his life, Mr. Rossetti remained devoted to his ever growing family, his Catholic faith and his Italian heritage. He helped establish Holy Trinity parish and built its church in his hometown and was active in many charitable ventures. He never missed a meeting of the local Optimist Club of which he was a founding member.
To celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary, the Rossettis traveled with their entire family to Italy. They visited the towns where their ancestors were born and stayed in a villa in Tuscany.
In February of this year, tragedy struck the family. V. Michael Rossetti, the oldest son and president of Ravin Homes, died in a plane crash at LaGrange Callaway Airport in western Georgia. The community rallied around the bereaved family, offering them constant support. Other family members are today operating Ravin Homes and continuing the traditions instilled by its founder.
A Mass of Christian burial was celebrated at 11 a.m. Saturday at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, 101 Walt Banks Road, Peachtree City.
In addition to his wife, survivors include sons David B. Rossetti and Stephen J. Rossetti of Peachtree City, Tony G. Rossetti of Greenville, Ga. and Jerome F. Rossetti of Atlanta, daughters Mary Quinn Teagle and DeSales deGolian of Peachtree City, 15 grandchildren and one great granddaughter.
In lieu of flowers please send donations to: https://fmm.ejoinme.org/myevents/donate/donation/tabid/276917/default.aspx or donations can be mailed to the Optimist Club of Peachtree City, P.O. Box 2063, Peachtree City, Ga. 30269
