John J. Bryers Funeral Home, Inc.
406 North Easton Road
Willow Grove, Pennsylvania 19090
(215) 659 – 1630
Jeffrey S. Thompson-Supervisor
Dominic P. LaRosa Sr., 78, of Huntingdon Valley, a former township commissioner, prominent developer and dedicated community servant died on March 28, 2010.
Dominic’s company, LaRosa Builders, is recognized as one of the area’s leading homebuilders. In addition to constructing more than 2,500 homes which provided housing for thousands of families, he employed hundreds of area residents, extended financing to make homes affordable, and was actively involved in the community.
Born in 1931 to Italian immigrants, he was the third of 6 children. LaRosa was an Upper Moreland high school student who was actively involved in sports, specifically football and baseball. Since athletics and academics did not come easily to him, Dominic credited any success he achieved in life to some very special teachers, stating on many occasions “I was fortunate to be blessed with teachers and coaches who encouraged me and gave me the direction that I so desperately needed.” In 1996 Dominic was inducted into the first Upper Moreland “Alumni Hall of Fame”. The Hall of Fame was launched to honor accomplished graduates. Mr. LaRosa was honored for being a community-minded developer.
Upon high school graduation, Dominic worked for Waches and McCollough, local builders. Dominic credits his business acumen and success to Henry McCollough, his life long friend and mentor. At the age of 20, Dominic started his own building business and for the next 50 years he was the sole owner of LaRosa Builders. From 1951 until he retired he built over 2,500 single homes, apartments, and commercial buildings in Willow Grove and the neighboring areas. This includes the development of thirteen subdivisions.
With a passion and commitment to community, Dominic was politically active, and was elected Commissioner for Upper Moreland Township. During his tenure he served as the Chairman of the Building and Zoning Department and held the office of Vice President. In 2001, in recognition of Dominic’s generosity and accomplishments he received the 2001 “Man of the Year Award” for Outstanding Dedication and Contribution from the Upper Moreland Republican Party and Upper Moreland Republican Association.
Further evidence of his love of community and generosity was being named “Citizen of the Year” in 1987 by the Greater Willow Grove Chamber of Commerce. This award recognized Dominic for donating property for two parking lots adjacent to the Little League baseball fields, and constructing a football field and Safety Town at Mason Mill Park, an Upper Moreland Township Park which benefited the Willow Grove Midgets team. Always a supporter of local sports, Dominic annually sponsored at least one Upper Moreland Little League team and the Upper Moreland Soccer Club. He was a sponsor for the Upper Moreland High School Scholarship Fund, and conscientiously donated to numerous charities.
Dominic was an inspiration to friends, business associates, community and family. Always compassionate and willing to help others, he lived by his belief in the importance of helping those less fortunate, often making it possible for many families to realize their dream of home ownership which would have been otherwise impossible without his generosity. When interviewed for his Hall of Fame honor, Dominic shared one of his favorite sayings, “What does it take to help someone?” Dominic truly lived by these words, and he is loved and missed by many.
He is survived by his wife Deborah Joan LaRosa (nee Teasdale), his children Dominic P. LaRosa Jr., Joseph R. LaRosa (Debbie), and Damian P. LaRosa (Diana), his sisters Gilda, and Helen, his brother Ralph LaRosa, his grandchildren Nicole Stout, Dominic P. III, Shane, Alex, Dalton, Jessie, Arionne, Damian Michael, and Aja, his great grandchildren Gabriella, and Olivia, and his former wife Helen LaRosa (nee Waldner). He was preceded in death by his sister Emma, and his brother Samuel.
Relatives and friends are invited to his viewing on Monday evening April 5, 2010 from 6pm to 8pm at the John J. Bryers Funeral Home, 406 N Easton Rd. Willow Grove PA 19090, and again Tuesday Morning from 9am to 10am at Our Lady Help of Christians, 1500 Marian Rd., Abington, PA 19001. Funeral Mass to follow at 10am. Interment St. John Neumann Cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations to Alzheimer's Disease Center, Attention: Faye Barlis, University of Pennsylvania, 3615 Chestnut St., Philadelphia, PA 19104. www.bryersfh.com