![[icon]](https://l-userpic.livejournal.com/124832504/2365825) | Its the real me...
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| September 26, 2025, my dad, James M. Rossetti Jr., passed away peacefully at the age of 72. He left this world at 7:23pm, surrounded by love; my mom, my brother, and me at his side. And yesterday, October 1st, 2025, we laid him to rest. It is hard to put into words the weight of these last few days. Watching him leave us, and then walking through the rituals of saying goodbye, has been heartbreaking, yet filled with a strange kind of peace. He lived a full life, and as we gathered together yesterday to celebrate him, I could feel how deeply he touched everyone who knew him. Dad was born May 26, 1953, in Pittsburgh, PA, and grew up in Chalfant Borough. From his youth he carried with him the values of family, friendship, and hard work that would define his character for the rest of his life. He went on to work at Westinghouse, helping to build the generators that powered the Coulee Dam in Washington, and later retired after 26 years with National Roll. But for him, work was never the most important thing. His family always came first. He married my mom, Bonnie, in 1974, and together they built a marriage of more than 51 years. Their love carried them through every trial, and it was steady, true, and inspiring. He was a father who showed up for everything; scouting, sports, band, education. He cheered, he guided, he supported. And when I married my husband Michael, he embraced him as a son, making him part of our family with the same unconditional love. Some of my favorite memories of Dad are the weekends we spent exploring. We were always going somewhere such as a park, a museum, a historic site, or even just a roadside stop that caught his attention. He showed me the joy of discovering the world, the beauty of curiosity, and the blessing of living a life full of wonder. Those weekends shaped me more than I realized at the time. They weren’t just about the places we went; they were about the bond we shared, side by side, learning and laughing together. Dad loved rock music, history, reading, and the outdoors. He was a storyteller with a mustache everyone will always remember. But beyond all of that, he was patient, kind, humble, strong, and full of quiet joy. He was the calm in the storm, the steady hand, and the voice that always reminded us what truly mattered. Yesterday, as we laid him to rest, I couldn’t help but think of the photo I shared of my parents sitting side by side, watching the sunset. That image feels like the perfect reflection of who he was and the love they shared. Though his chapter here has ended, the love, lessons, and light he gave us will never fade. Dad,                            thank you for every adventure, every story, every lesson, and every moment. You will always be with me. And as I move forward in life, especially with Rossetti Escapes, the business I’ve built with Michael, I know you’ll be proud. Everything I do will carry a part of you, because everything I am comes from you. ❤️ | comments: 1 Comment or Leave a Comment   |
| Wow… it’s been a long time since I last posted here, and I’m sorry for disappearing for so long. Life has been moving fast, and I wanted to finally sit down and share an update with you all.
Mike and I are doing well. Last year we had the chance to take a wonderful cruise to the Mexican Riviera out of LA on the Norwegian Bliss. It was such a special trip, and I really need to make a separate post with photos and memories from that adventure. And speaking of travel, I started my own business! Rossetti Escapes! I’m now running a travel agency, something I’m very proud of and excited about. Find us online and on Facebook/instagram. We even have another cruise coming up on the MSC Seashore, heading to the Bahamas and Mexico. Travel has become such an important part of our lives.
Not everything this past year has been easy. We lost our sweet Boston terrier, Buddy, last year. It was so hard to say goodbye after so many wonderful years together. After a lot of time healing, we decided to welcome a new little one into our family, another Boston terrier puppy named Ben. He’s been keeping us busy and filling our home with laughter again. We love him so much!
My family has also had some big challenges. My mom had Covid last year, and not long after, she suffered a brain bleed/stroke while she was staying at my house. It was such a frightening time, but thankfully she has recovered and is doing much better. She’s still living with us right now, just so she isn’t alone, and I’m grateful to have her close.
On the harder side, my dad, who has been fighting kidney cancer for years, has taken a sudden turn. He had been beating the odds for so long, but recently he’s gotten much weaker. We had to place him back on hospice care so he can get the attention and dignity he deserves, especially since his nursing home has been so terrible. My heart is breaking as we go through this, it’s very hard to see it happening day by day.
Through it all, I’m thankful for little things that bring joy and relief. Just today, Mike and I bought two off-road scooters. We took them for a spin around the neighborhood, and it felt good to just laugh and let loose for a while.
Work has also been going well. We have a new boss who’s been kind and supportive, which makes a big difference.
That’s where life has me right now. Thank you to anyone who still follows along here after my long silence. I appreciate you more than you know, and I’ll try not to let so much time go by before my next update.
~Justin | | comments: 1 Comment or Leave a Comment |
| Kennywood is Open
This winter and spring has been busy. Work has been keeping me moving at light speed so it feels. This year I had two big projects which was a lot of fun. One was opening a new pub at the park, named Jeeters. The second was re-theming a third party restaurant, a Johnny Rockets into our own restaurant, in which I named Carousel Burger Co.
Jeeters was an old character at the park, one where younger guests would step up and measure their height to ensure they were tall enough to ride a certain ride. Yes, some had some disappointment when they found out they were too short to enjoy a ride. So my colleague decided on that name for the new pub. We all loved it and I ran with it. I had a nice mixture of ideas for this project. The end product was very nice. I love how it turned out. I worked with a local brewery, named Penn Brewery and designed a beer with them. I have 12 beers on tap and so far, the first weekend was a success.
Carousel Burger Co is our new burger restaurant. I named it this way because it was the parks original carousel building. This carousel was later replaced with a larger carousel, which is our prized gem and heartbeat of our park. This building became a few other food stands in the many years after. When Johnny rockets came into the park it was a successful restaurant but of course we want to make all of the money. So when the contract ended, we decided it was time to do our own thing. We have a larger burger and we added a few burgers. We also added what I named Carousel Shakes. Which are colossal milkshakes with all sorts of delicious items on top of this delicious milkshake. I love how it turned out. So does everyone else. We designed this place very well. We added two carousel horses and changed the color and the lighting scheme of the building as well. Very happy with how it turned out.
Our opening weekend went very well. Very busy on the first day, last Saturday. I am excited to see how the season goes. I have a few things to change up to make it work better but that’s normal for when you make such changes.
A few weeks prior, I was asked to go to another property to help out at one of our hotel restaurants we have. I took two members of my team and we traveled a few hours east. It was a lot of fun. We got to tour the park as well which was a very cute park for any young family.
What’s going on with me? The same old things. Nothing much new. My husband is doing well. His job at his restaurant keeps him busy. My brother and his family are doing well. My parents are doing well. My dad is still doing well. I hope that continues. I don’t know what to say on that. I miss my grandmother, a lot. I miss the family gatherings that she had.
My days when I am home and when my husband is at work primarily has me at home relaxing or exercising, trying to stay fit and tone up for the summer and for our cruise vacation to Mexico in November. My days are very lonely when he is at work. My dog keeps me company of course. One thing that I have noticed over the years… is that the phone calls and texts and the invitations to hang out have come to a halt over the last few years. Friends who I loved dearly seemed to forget I exist. I know the phone works both ways, but after a few times of reaching out first, and if nobody makes the effort to do the same on their own, speaks volumes. I always felt I was a genuine person and caring and loving person. But I do think that maybe the thing, such as my little secret battle of depression hurt everything. I know I have turned down offers in the past. I know that instead of just always being the first or only person reaching out to get together or to even get a group together like I used to do, maybe that is what has caused me to be so lonely now in life. The only friends I see are my husbands friends group. I do get sad when his friends call and talk and plan things. I don’t even know why I still pay for an unlimited phone plan… lol
I have to talk about it. I hold in all my feelings because I am always afraid of what people will say or think. I don’t have any self confidence at all for some reason. Maybe that’s why I am working out so much. I can actually see a difference with something I am doing so maybe that is why I am so motivated with something.
One thing I started last year was running. I used to hate it. But it is something I can do myself since, well you know. But I actually became to like it and I will run up to 6 miles very well. I love nature so it is perfect for me. Yes I still bike. I didn’t get to ski this year by myself or with my husband so I do need some time on the trail. I always loved skiing because everyone was so nice. Running, you’ll get a nod as they pass you from the other direction. It is at least some kind of reaction. lol
I am very happy as I am off two days and my husband is off three so I get to spend some time with him. We try to soak up as much time together when we can as our schedules can be hectic.
I do use TikTok a lot and met some friends on there. I have gone live a few times and a few times with them. They are very nice and brings me some joy for sure.
Well, I feel like I said a lot. But I do miss you all. I have to post more.
~Justin | | comments: 3 comments or Leave a Comment |
| As we are starting to spring into summer, I realize it is time for an update on life.
You know how life can be, it has been a blur of people going about their business, old friends getting married, having children, great people retiring, and growing old together. What about me you may ask?
My husband is doing great. His work keeps him busy. His work has him tired as it is, just like me, long hours and changing days off. So that makes it hard to coordinate our days off together. But on the days we have a day or two off together, we are stuck like glue. Today was one of them.
My husbands family is doing well. He does miss them greatly as they are not close and it is hard to travel as often as we would like.
My dad isn’t doing well. He has kidney cancer and he has his good and bad days. He has been feeling well recently and he looked good today and was his happy self which was great. But he has some days that he is just ill. My mom has been struggling with it obviously. The nursing home that he is in, is terrible. It has gotten worse over the years. We want to move him but we also don’t want to cause him more stress. I have so much to say about this but keeping my mouth shut.
Have you ever noticed on how some family forgets about those who are in a nursing home or in the hospital for long periods? But they act like they miss them or say they are their favorite on facebook. All I’ll say is that people see the truth thankfully.
My mom, as I said has been struggling with my dads health. But she is doing her best to keep her mind off of things. We try our best to keep her having fun and such as when she visits my dad, it brings her down. So we do our part to keep her positive.
My brother and his family is doing well, I guess. He and his family stay to themselves for the most part. His first kid, Vincent has graduated high school. He will be attending the school that both of his parents went to… WVU. ( Go PITT )
My aunt and uncle is doing well. Their kids and families are doing well.
I’ve been avoiding it…. But myself, I am doing ok, I guess. Not really. But I do pretend to be when I am around others. When I am alone, I just feel lost and dead. I guess that’s what depression does. I am happy with my husband and I love him dearly. I love my family and my job. But everything that I’ve gone through the past few years are really weighing on me. I do miss the family gatherings we used to have, the great times we used to have. My grandmother always had us together and ever since she passed, it just isn’t the same. I tried to get the family together, as my grandmother wanted but everyone is always busy. I do miss her and the breakfasts we use to have. She loved kennywood, where I work, and her family gatherings. I feel like, and I might have said this in a different post, but I feel like I didn’t get to grieve the way I wanted. Idk
Now all of this with my dad. It is back to the trauma that I had when he had his stroke all those years ago. I don’t know what to expect, well I do, but I don’t. I am not sure how I am going to do this when the time comes. I don’t have a support group like I used to, yes my family, but my friends are all doing their own thing that I am left behind. I don’t see anyone anymore like how we used to. Which is very sad. I miss those times as well. We do see Mike’s friends from time to time, they are all wonderful people. My friends at work, seem to just be work friends only as they never want to hang out anymore with anyone.
I am in the mood to go on a vacation trip with my husband. I hope we can as we both need to get away from work. I am however going on a work trip in October, to Morey’s piers, wildwood, New Jersey, which I am super excited about. It has been years since I have been there. It is for the food conference for amusement and theme parks. It is a huge event for all parks across the country. Last big trip we took was a few years ago when I got to go to LA for our companies food conference and to DC for my GM training for Johnny Rockets.
On my days off, if mike is at work, I’ll go for long walks on the bike trail or even around the neighborhood. I love to be in nature so it helps. Last time, it got a little creepy so, I turned around and headed back. I walked nearly 5 miles before I realized and had a long walk back to the car. ha!
If I don’t do that, either because I am too tired or bad weather, I do enjoy talking with some TikTok friends that I have. They are super nice and we do keep up with each other.
So there you have it. An update. Yes, I will post again. I need to do better. It helps me being able to share. Plus I love reading on everyone’s lives and experiences.
I hope you are all doing well. I miss you all and please take care.
Until next time…..
~Justin | | comments: 2 comments or Leave a Comment |
| Work has been extremely busy. It is always this time of the year, with the park opening just weeks away. Every week there seems to be another food test. We seem to test all good at my park and restaurant for the whole company. I don’t mind. But it can be tough trying to fit everything in, in such a short period of time.
But, I am excited for this new season. I hope it is a success for sure.
My husband is doing well. He is always busy with work as well.
My mom is well and my dad is going through a rough patch. So, if you can, send some positive vibes, prayers, his way.
I am just in bed, can’t sleep so I wanted to write a small update.
I love you all.
~Justin | | comments: Leave a Comment |
| So it has been almost a month into my 40’s. Of course not much changed. Days still come and go. My birthday was just another day for the most part. So nothing to exciting. But, I did take myself for a long walk and that was enjoyable, as the day after my husband was stuck at work. I needed to do something as I can’t stand being stuck in the house.
Two team members on the bartender side of my department gave me some cake and some gifts. So that was nice.
It was a nice day weather wise at least. So, I’ll take that.
Our 8 year anniversary was a few days ago and the 23rd would have been my grandmothers 91st birthday.
Work has been good. We are only weekends now since a lot of our team members are young and in school now. A lot of schools started back up the last few days. This summer has gone by very quickly.
I hope all is well with everyone else!
Until next time
Justin Rossetti | | comments: Leave a Comment |
| So the end of April is near. Yesterday, was one year since I lost my grandmother. I actually haven’t even realized, as it seemed just like yesterday. I don’t know how a year passed by.
Work has been great. We opened Easter weekend and the park has been just wonderful. So many new updates which makes the park look beautiful.
My husband and I have been great as well. He loves his job and so that is also good.
So, with a lot of thought, I have been thinking that I haven’t grieved… regarding my grandmother. I don’t think I grieved like I should have. I feel like I kept it in. I also think that when my dad had his stroke many years ago, and then had a horrible infection and was super sick years after that, I feel that has also did some damage. I think I have a lot of built up stress and depression.
I’ll have to work that. Somehow.
But overall, I am good. My mom is doing well and my dad is still doing well. He is healthy and that is great.
I hope all is well with you all.
Love and miss you all.
Justin | | comments: 1 Comment or Leave a Comment |
| Tomorrow is Valentine’s Day. It has been some time since I wrote last. I have tried a few times… but would wipe away the words I spent so much time to write.
Things are going well on my end here. My husband is doing well. So, nothing to complain about.
Work has been busy with all of the construction that is going on in preparation for the new season. Two out of three of my restaurants will be updated. I’m getting two new bars as well and an existing one is being updated. Next year, I’m getting another new bar and restaurant at the park.
Most of my time at work is dealing with preparations and talking and messaging contractors and suppliers.
But yes, a lot of good things.
I hope the same is with you all.
~ Justin | | comments: Leave a Comment |
| Today, May 1st, we buried my grandmother, Rita. Aka Meem. She was a wonderful woman. Strong, loving, full of happiness. Family was her life. She passed away a few days ago.
We had a long terrible week, watching her suddenly decline.
Another day, I’ll update.
I love you, Meem. Watch over us.
~Justin | | comments: 1 Comment or Leave a Comment |
| How was everyone’s Christmas? Not the usual Christmas for sure. For one, many faces were not around the table since they can’t travel due to covid. We had not perfect weather and could not go to my grandmother’s house as planned. We have been staying away from people so we can visit her and such. So we had to surprise her the next day, which she enjoyed. It was a nice Christmas, just smaller. We had a small budget due to myself being on furlough still... thankfully Mike is still working. We did get a beautiful 11 foot tree. And I have it decorated very beautifully. I mixed some large and small glass ornaments as well as some beautiful ribbon. I have always wanted to decorate a tree from a step ladder. Please note, not looking for taking it down.
I still have some secret depression going on... I can’t fight it off. Has a lot to do with my last post and just this year all around. I have been looking for another job just in case I find something better before i return from furlough... but I can’t find anything. I feel totally useless and not good enough just by looking at some of the jobs available. Is this who I am now?
I hate that I exposed my depression on here even... but it does help to get it off my chest.
I haven’t been posting as I use to. I do want to continue and try to post more about all the good stuff.
I am having a dear friend come over tomorrow for dinner and to catch up while she is in town for the holidays. Mike and I will enjoy spending that time with her. She was my good friend from high school and she was also our wedding videographer.
The new year coming up in a few days, I sure hope starts out better than 2020. I think we all need it. I know I am looking forward to some positivity.
My family is doing well and I hope that stays the same. I hope you all are well and continue to thrive and step into 2021 with great stride.
If I don’t post before the new year... happy new year! See you in 2021!
~Justin | | comments: 1 Comment or Leave a Comment |
| Its the real me...
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