Erling Rosand

February 5, 1919 - November 29, 2014

Erling Ole Rosand,95,passed away peacefully at home in Livingston on November 29, 2014. He was born in Bremsnes, Norway in February, 1919, one of nine children to Ole Rosand and Johanne Hjelseth. At 18, he joined the merchant ships and emigrated to the US. He was proud to serve during WW2 as a US Merchant Marine and survived many perilous journeys across the North Atlantic providing necessary supplies to the Allies. During one of these voyages, his ship was struck by a torpedo and sunk. Unlike so many other brave merchant seamen of this era, he survived. As a child, his mother told him he was born with a "victory cap", meaning that he had been born "lucky" his life proved this to be true over and over again. His time as a merchant seaman took him across the globe - there were few placed he hadn't traveled- providing many stories that he enjoyed sharing and which gave his listeners great pleasure. After the war, as a young man living in Brooklyn, he met and married Joan (nee Belle-Oudry) who pre-deceased him. Together, they owned a popular Norwegian Bar and Grill in Bay Ridge known as Skansen, where he developed his passion for cooking and food, which would continue throughout his life. His love for music and singing led him to join the Norwegian Singing Society in Brooklyn, as a baritone. After moving to Livingston in 1973, he continued singing and joined the Catskill Glee Club. He participated in rehearsals and concerts until last year. Erling was beloved by all who knew him. He had a quick smile and a twinkle in his eye, a captivating humility and innocence, and a consistently generous heart. He is survived by his son, Randy Rosand, his grandson, Aidan, his daughter, Karen Rosand, and his son-in-law, Dennis Seminara of Claverack. His family is honored to have had him as a model of integrity, warmth, optimism and kindness. We will hold you in our hearts for eternity. A memorial service will be held at 10:00 am on Saturday January 24th, 2015 at Won Dharma Center, 361 Route 23, Claverack, NY.