Leonel, a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, fisherman, musician and composer, passed away on March 4, 2009, after 97 years of living the life he so loved. Leonel was born in 1912, the youngest of eleven children, in the little village of Santa Cruz das Ribeiras on the island of Pico in the Azores.

At age 25, Leonel immigrated to the United States to join his brothers and sisters and their families in this wondrous land of opportunity. The "Rosa Brothers" with their successful fleet of tuna boats, were major contributors to the early development of a successful Tuna Fishing Industry in San Diego. After retiring, Leonel now had the time to pursue his passion, music. He will be remembered for playing his cherished mandolin and composing beautiful arrangements and verses. Through the years, Leonel, as part of the Point Loma Strings, with his signature red coat, graced the San Diego community at thousands of events. The Point Loma Strings never asked for financial compensation. Their personal satisfaction came from the joy in sharing their music. The PLS also performed on several San Diego television programs and in their later years, were invited to play for the Smithsonian Museum in Washington, DC. During this time, Leonel also shared his talents as a composer. His musical arrangements were played, danced and sung by church events and choirs, at Portuguese and community festivals, at "teatros," through military bands, school orchestras, philharmonics, and the San Diego Mandolin Orchestra. Throughout the years, Leonel received numerous honors for his musical contributions, among them were National, State and City Commendations and Proclamations, awarded plaques from organizations such as the Cabrillo Festival, Portuguese Filarmonica Uniao Portuguesa de San Diego, San Diego Mandolin Orchestra, UPSES Perpetual Trophy, and most recently, the Portuguese Historical Center's 2009 Lifetime Achievement Award. Leonel was decorated by the Portuguese government with the esteemed honor of Oficial da Ordem da Benemerencia.

Leonel's happiest times were to be surrounded by his family and the Portuguese community. He has left the world a better place and will be greatly missed. Leonel is survived by his beloved wife of 61 years, Maria Alves, his daughters, Linette (daRosa Baptista), Lilly (Rosa Tuke), sons-in-law, Joe and Michael, grandchildren, Suzy, Joseph and Sophia and great-grandchildren, Gabriella and Jacob.

The Services and Ccelebration of Leonel's life will be held on Tuesday, March 10th, 2009, at 9:00 a.m. at St. Agnes Church, 1145 Evergreen, San Diego, 92106. Leonel will be laid to rest at Holy Cross Cemetery. A Reception will follow at the UPSES Hall, 2818 Avenida de Portugal, San Diego, 92106, for all who have come to honor Leonel's legacy. The family would like to acknowledge the incredible and loving care Leonel received from San Diego Hospice during his final days, as well as the endless outpouring of affection and support received from family, friends and the Portuguese community.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Leonel's memory to St. Agnes Church, 1145 Evergreen St., San Diego, CA 92106; the Portuguese Historical Center, 2831 Avenida de Portugal, San Diego, CA 92106, or the United Portuguese Sociedade Espirito Santo (UPSES) Scholarship Fund, 2818 Avenida de Portugal, San Diego, CA 92106.