The Bronx has lost a dedicated public servant.
Carmen Rosa, longtime district manager of Community Board 12, died on Friday, March 20.
Rosa was in her mid-60s, said community board chair Father Gorman, and had been battling cancer.
She is survived by two children, Linda and Alfredo Angueira.
Rosa served board 12 as district manager since 1995 until she retired earlier this year, prior to which she had served as assistant district manager for seven years.
Earlier in her career she worked for the Bronx Overall Economic Development Corporation, and for more than 20 years she was an adjunct professor at Monroe College.
“It’s a tremendous loss for the board,” said Fr. Gorman. “The knowledge and experience of more than 30 years of public service in the Bronx, you just can’t replace that.”
Fr. Gorman, who worked with Rosa throughout her tenure as district manager, describes her first and foremost as extremely caring.
“She was a person of the utmost compassion,” he said.
She was also ‘honest as the day is long,’ he said, as well as an incredibly hard worker.
“She was a tremendous fighter to bring city services to an area that historically was short-changed,” said Fr. Gorman.
According to the community board, Rosa’s accomplishments include ensuring the toxic site known as Hexagon Labs was cleaned by the Federal and State Department of Environmental Protection so that the contaminates at the site would no longer endanger the residents of the Bronx.
She also saw a need for her district’s youth and submitted a proposal to the mayor identifying two sites for an all inclusive recreational facility to adequately service the needs of the community.
Presently, a committee of community residents are working the borough president and local elected officials to secure the funding for this facility.
Additionally, Rosa worked with Senator Jeff Klein on advocating for increased police for the 47th Precinct and addressing transportation needs for seniors in Woodlawn, Klein said an statement.
Fr. Gorman said she went out of her way to help board members in their efforts to better their neighborhoods, such as his initiative to close down adult establishments in the district.
“She was supportive of me personally and of the community board professionally,” he said.
Over the years, Rosa developed many strong relationships with local groups, as well as with other district managers throughout the Bronx.
“I think this is a loss for the entire borough,” Fr. Gorman said.
Bronx elected officials agree.
“Carmen was a leading voice for change in the Bronx, ensuring the borough received the resources and attention it deserved,” said Senator Klein in a statement. “While Carmen often avoided the limelight, her voice was strong. Her advocacy, leadership and dedication will be sorely missed.”
“Carmen was an invaluable advocate to the community board and neighborhoods which she served,” said Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr. in a statement. “On behalf of all 1.4 million residents of the Bronx, I mourn her passing.”
Services for Rosa were held on Friday, March 27 at the Woolworth Chapel at Woodlawn Cemetery.
