Rosario "Ross" Pitrelli

Rosario Nicholas Pitrelli Jr.

Rosario “Ross” Nicholas Pitrelli Jr., 78, of La Plata passed away Wednesday September 7th at his residence. He was born February 12, 1944 in Kentucky shortly thereafter moved to Cleveland, OH where he spent his childhood.

After graduating from high school in Cleveland, Ross enlisted in the U.S. Army and was assigned to the Signal Corps. Ross served a tour in Korea and then received orders to the East Coast Radio Receiving Station La Plata, MD in 1965. After completing his enlistment in the Army, Ross remained in Charles County and spent over 40 years serving the community both as an officer and civilian in the Charles County Sheriff’s Department.

Ross had numerous accomplishments as an officer including becoming the county’s first expert trained polygrapher, serving as the Director of the first tri-county training facility at Charles County Community College, president of the Francis Garner FOP Lodge, and assistant Sheriff. Ross received an Associate of Arts Degree in Criminal Justice from Charles County Community College and achieved the rank of Major before retiring in 1989. After retirement Ross went on to serve as the Sheriff’s Department Administrative Director until his final retirement in 2008.

Ross, a loving husband, father, grandfather, and brother, is survived by his Wife, Sandra Lee Pitrelli; Daughter and Son-in-law, Christina Pitrelli Ellis and Arthur Wintle Ellis, Jr.; two Brothers, Jim Pitrelli of Cincinnati, OH and Michael Pitrelli of Tucson, AZ; two Grandchildren Jake Riley Ellis and Macy Claire Ellis. Ross was preceded in death by his son Christopher Nicholas Pitrelli of Tucson, AZ and Sister Nancy Pitrelli Abbe of Cleveland, OH.

Funeral services and interment will be conducted as a private family affair in accordance with Ross’s wishes.

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