Robert R Rossi

Robert R. Rossi of Las Vegas, Nevada, passed away peacefully at home on October 8, 2020. He was 76 years old. Bob was born on May 7, 1944 in Brooklyn, New York to parents Nicholas and Olympia (Mazza) Rossi. After graduating from Floral Park Memorial High School in Long Island, Bob set out for his life’s adventure, traveling to China, Japan, and eventually settling in Hong Kong. He worked successfully overseas as a toy company executive, first for Toys R Us, then Tyco Toys, where he was instrumental in launching the legendary “Tickle Me Elmo” doll in 1996. It was while overseas that Bob met the love of his life, Selina Ho. The couple married in 1987. In 2000, Bob and Selina moved back to the States, and settled in Las Vegas. Here Bob was able to pursue his true passion, magic. He became a collector of a great many treasures of the magic world, including priceless personal and shared stories. Through extensive research, he became the premier expert on his friend, Joseph Dunniger (1892-1975), the famed magician and mentalist. For several years, Bob was also the producer of The World Magic Seminar in Las Vegas, one of the largest magic conventions in the world. Bob’s family and friends knew of his passion for the great entertainer Frank Sinatra, who he was thrilled to be able to meet at a charity auction many years ago. He also had a great love of the food and culture of Italy, home to his grandparents, and was able to fulfill his lifelong dream to visit with his brother Guy in 2014.

Bob is preceded in death by his parents, his brother Gaetano (Guy) in 2016, and, most tragically, his beloved wife in 2006. Bob is survived by his daughter Dawn Hiu Ming Cheung, her husband Alexander Chi Hun Yan and their two sons of Vancouver Island, Canada; his niece Anna Marie (Rossi) Tysinger, her husband David of Dothan, Alabama and their 2 children; his niece Arlene Rossi of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; his niece Cynthia Rossi, her husband Costas Kaiafas and their three children of Toms River, New Jersey; and his nephew Matthew Rossi and wife Melanie Perry of Wolcott, Connecticut. Donations in Bob’s names may be made to the TCS Entertainment Community Relief Fund (https://thecomposersshowcase.com/tcs-entertainmentcommunity-relief-fund/).