Rosario J. Filosi

Rosario “Ray” “Razor” Filosi

Rosario Filosi, affectionately known to many as “Ray” or “Razor,” passed away leaving behind a life rich in family, tradition, and unforgettable memories. He was born on October 2, 1932, in the small town of Praso in northern Italy, a place that remained close to his heart throughout his life. At the age of three, Rosario immigrated to the United States with his family through Ellis Island, settling in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania.

He was the son of Joseph and Bortolina Filosi and grew up alongside his older sister, Mary, who was nine years his senior. The Filosi family maintained strong ties to their hometown in Italy, with frequent visits back and forth over the years, preserving deep family connections and cultural roots.

Rosario’s early life was shaped by hard work in the family’s mushroom business, an industry that remained an important part of his life into the late 1970s. After graduating from high school, his family moved to Akron, New York, to operate a mushroom farm. Soon after, Rosario proudly served his country in the United States Army, where he was stationed in Alaska.

Following his military service, he returned to New York, where he married his first wife, Marjorie, and together they raised three children: Annette, Andre, and Anita. The family eventually settled in West Seneca, New York. During this time, Rosario managed supermarkets and pursued a passion for horse ownership, achieving the thrill of seeing one of his horses reach the winner’s circle. He later owned and operated a mushroom farm in Kendall, New York.

After the historic blizzard of 1977, Rosario and his family decided to leave the harsh winters behind and relocate to Las Vegas, Nevada. There, he built a successful career in sales and senior management. In 1981, he married Elaina, his beloved wife, with whom he shared over four decades of companionship until her passing in 2024.

Rosario was an exceptional athlete, particularly gifted in baseball and golf. After high school, he was approached by professional baseball teams, but chose a different path at the encouragement of his family. He became an avid and highly skilled golfer, frequently winning friendly wagers with friends and competing in numerous Pro-Am tournaments across the country.

In retirement, he remained active by working at local golf courses, combining his love of the game with his enjoyment of being around people. Rosario had a vibrant personality and a zest for life—he loved long, lively dinners with family, telling jokes, dancing, performing magic tricks, and sharing stories. He enjoyed a good glass of scotch, a cigarette, a day at the racetrack, and placing a bet on sports.

Above all, Rosario was a devoted father and family man. He was endlessly supportive of his children’s activities and filled his home with love, laughter, and joy. His warmth, humor, and larger-than-life presence will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

He is survived by his children, their spouses, grandchildren, great grandkids, extended family, and many loved ones from both his first and second marriages.

Services will be held on Friday, April 3 at 12:00 noon at Davis Funeral Home on Eastern in Las Vegas. Family and friends are invited to attend and celebrate Rosario’s life.

And in true Ray fashion, we imagine him now with a glass in hand, a smile on his face, and Frank Sinatra’s “That’s Life” playing—because if anyone lived it his way, it was him.