Rose (Ranieri) Crosby

• Retired teacher

Rose Crosby, a high school educator and teacher-trainer with New York City public schools for 35 years, died on March 29, 2024, at the age of 76. The cause was cancer.

Rose, who retired in July 2003, was a dedicated math teacher at Franklin Delano Roosevelt HS in Brooklyn, according to her sister, Connie Ranieri. She taught all levels of math, but when she gained seniority, she chose to teach high school students college-level calculus. Her students did well on their Advanced Placement tests, most earning the top score of 5, Ranieri said.

Rose tutored her students in the morning, before class, for no compensation and was the Math Team adviser. She also worked in the school’s College and Career Office helping students complete college applications and obtain scholarships.

Judith Berger, a retired teacher and administrator at FDR, said Rose was “a good person, a great teacher who made many great teachers, a friend to many, an extremely bright person who put that intelligence to good use during a stellar career.”

Rose was a “star,” Berger said. “The kids loved her. She was super dedicated. She showed up every morning an hour before school time to give extra help to her AP classes. The students were always waiting for her in the hall.”

Rose participated in the school’s Quiz Bowl, “cooked up a storm at the freshman barbecue” and, beyond that, “she always had a smile,” Berger said.

Ranieri said Rose agreed to be a teacher-trainer for then-Brooklyn High School Superintendent Joyce Coppin only if she could continue to teach the college-level calculus class at FDR HS.

After retiring from the city Department of Education, Rose taught a math methods class at her alma mater Brooklyn College – where she had majored in mathematics – and  trained students in the New York City Teaching Fellows program. Two of her former students work in FDR’s math department, one as the assistant principal, Berger said.

Aside from teaching, Rose was an art lover and one of her hobbies was painting pictures on canvasses. She learned how to play piano as a child and took lessons again after she retired. She enjoyed playing for family and friends. She loved meeting with former colleagues from FDR HS for dinners and parties and always attended the FDR reunions, her sister said.

In addition to her sister, Connie, Rose is survived by Fred Crosby, her husband of 41 years; her brother, Frank Ranieri; nieces Danielle Ranieri and Nicole Bommarito; and great-nephew Daniel Ranieri.

Condolences can be sent to:

Fred Crosby
9747 Shore Road, Apt. B-9,
Brooklyn, NY 11209

and to:

Connie Ranieri
186 Terrace Place
Brooklyn, NY 11218

The family has set up a scholarship in Rose’s name at FDR HS. Starting this school year, the top math student will receive a $1,000 scholarship.

Donations can be made in Rose’s name to:

The FDR Scholarship Fund
c/o Judith Berger
3 Pilcher St.
Staten Island, NY 10314.

Checks should be made out to the FDR Scholarship Fund, with Rose Crosby’s name on the memo line.

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