Windsor, VT – Gary La Rosa, 75, died at the Jack Byrne Center for Palliative and Hospice Care in Lebanon, NH after two years of battling a rare cancer. Gary was the second of two sons born to Alexander and Yolanda (Calatozzo) La Rosa in Hell's Kitchen, New York, New York. He grew up first in the Bronx and then in New Jersey. His childhood memories of watching Joe Dimaggio and Mickey Mantle play ball at the old Yankee stadium with his dad and brother stayed with him and endeared him to the Yankees for the rest of his life. During his high school years, he made two lifelong friends, Dale and Rick. Dale's family were from Vermont and the three frequently traveled to visit.

At the age of 17, Gary enlisted in the US Marine Corps, joining his brother Alan. He served in Vietnam as a gunner; upon completion of his service, he joined the New Jersey National Guard and worked on helicopter maintenance.

In 1997, Gary met Annamarie Bowen while out one evening and soon after they were inseparable. They married in 2003 and spent their early life together in New Jersey. He enjoyed taking on a fatherly role with Annamarie's four children. In 2007 they were ready for a slower paced life and moved to Windsor, rejoining his friends who had long since moved there.

Gary loved to bring joy into others' lives, often with a joke or unexpected kindnesses. He and Annamarie traveled often: weekend trips to Nascar, Formula 1, and Indy races to cheer on their favorite drivers, attending car shows, or to Florida to visit their good friends Brian and Marcia. He and his friends also built go carts and raced them at home.

Gary is survived by his wife Annamarie La Rosa of Windsor; four stepchildren Jennifer Bowen, Thomas Bowen and wife Lacey, John Bowen, and David Bowen; his brother Alan La Rosa; other extended relatives and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

A visitation will be held Wednesday, October 22, 2025, from 11 am until noon at Knight Funeral Home in Windsor, VT. Memorial donations are appreciated to Dartmouth Cancer Center and online messages of condolences are invited at www.knightfuneralhomes.com.