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History & Staff
We have years of experience caring for families, from all walks of life. Each family comes to us because they know we are leaders in our profession, dedicated to excellence in service, and have the highest integrity.
Our History
Humble Beginnings
Francis and Dorothy Rose were both born and raised in the Niles area.
They lived down the street from each other. They were always friends
and would go out with groups of friends and take trips to Santa Cruz on
Sundays. Growing up, Francis was always eager to have a business. He
delivered papers for the Oakland Tribune, shined shoes, turned in
bottles...etc. Dorothy worked from an early age at Rose City Pottery
for 35 cents an hour, and then for PG&E out of the Niles office.
Francis and Dorothy were married in 1948. After mortuary school,
Francis and Dorothy moved to Paradise, California to start the first
Rose mortuary which opened the doors in 1951. While living in Paradise
at the mortuary, three children were added to the Rose bunch: Nancy,
Michael, and Susan. In 1958 they moved back to Fremont (known as
Centerville at the time) to be closer to family. The family of five
lived with Dorothy's mother, Irene, in Niles from August of 1958 until
December of 1958 at which time they moved into the apartment attached to
the mortuary. It wasn't even a month when the five became six with the
birth of their fourth child Robert.
Fremont Chapel of the Roses
Francis G. Rose purchased the property, which was
once full of apricot trees owned by William "Bill" Furtado.
Construction of the funeral home began in the spring of 1958 by Fred
Diaz and was completed in the winter of 1958. Francis opened the doors
December 1958 and did everything from making removals and embalming to
meeting with families and conducting services. He is a licensed funeral
director and embalmer who took apprentices under his wing
periodically. Every day was an adventure but he never gave up. Of
course, his darling wife Dorothy Rose aided him by answering doors and
phones, after all their residence was in the back of the parlor. The
family did things in shifts - such as going to church since someone
always had to be at the building. The phone rang 24/7 and kids quickly
learned to not answer and be quiet, it's business.
The first and only remodel occurred circa 1990 at this time the front of the building facing Peralta Blvd. was extended outward.
Fremont Memorial Chapel
Built in 1962 formerly Lindsey Fremont Memorial
Chapel, it was acquired by Francis G. Rose in 1987 and at that time the
name was changed to Fremont Memorial Chapel. A plaque is in place in
front of the flag pole to commemorate the original Alameda Masonic
Lodge.
The building has been remodeled to better serve the
public. In 1989 the two car garage was converted to a small reception
room and in 2005 a major remodeling of the reception room occurred,
expanding it and including stained glass windows and hardwood floors.
Those wishing to have memorial services or celebrations of life events
enjoy the large reception room. The reception room has been used by
community organizations when available as well as our past annual Celebration
of Life program sponsored by the Rose Family.
Three Generations
Francis and Dorothy have four children Nancy,
Michael, Susan, and Robert all of whom grew up at the mortuary. Michael
began working at the mortuary when he was a teen and so did Robert.
Nancy began working as office manager in 1991. Susan began working in
1972-1978 before returning for three years in 1995.
Today, Nancy works full time while Susan comes and aids one weekend every month. Michael is now retired, as of October of 2014. Robert owns and operates Irvington Memorial Cemetery & Crematory. Francis still frequents the 1940 office to check in on everything and everyone and tends to his garden at the 3723 location. But there is a new generation hard at work. Over the years Francis' grandchildren have taken up employment at the mortuary, currently Lindsay (Michael's daughter) works full time.
Our Valued Staff
Mrs. Nancy Rose-Schroder, Funeral Director
Ms. Susan Rose, Funeral Counselor
Mr. Jeffrey Orozco, Funeral Counselor & Embalmer
Mr. Dennis Moore, Funeral Director & Embalmer
Ms. Susan Hatfield, Administrative Assistant
Miss Jennifer Orozco, Administrative Assistant
Mrs. Lindsay Minyen, Funeral Home Assistant
