Leslie 'Buddy' Rose

Obituary Mr. Leslie 'Buddy" Rose, 81, of Harkers Island passed away Tuesday, March 9, 2021 at his home. Leslie Roger "Buddy" Rose was born July 15, 1939 to Leslie and Christine Rose at Harkers Island, being the first son after seven daughters. Six more children were to follow after Leslie. His father Leslie was a commercial fisherman with Stacy Davis for at least 20 years. Times were hard for a family that size on a fishermans pay. Leslie often recalled when food was scarce and choices were few. He didnt have his own bed until he was in his teens. One of his fondest memories was installing an indoor hand pump in his Mommys kitchen so she wouldnt have to go outside to get water. That made her very happy. BUT the hard times drew the family very close together and there have been few families on the Island that were as close as they have been. A funeral service will be held at 2:00 PM on Friday at Free Grace Wesleyan Church in Harkers Island with Pastor Clint Nelson officiating. Burial will follow at Dora Willis Cemetery. The funeral service will be live streamed: https://fb.me/e/1ajUIcWpP The family will receive friends from 1:00 to 1:45 Friday at the Church. Because of the necessity to help provide for his family, Leslie never had the chance to complete high school, something he always wanted so much to do. As a teenager he commercial fished with Ivey Gaskill, and also went north on a dredge boat, as well as working at some local boat yards. In 1961 he married Margaret Ann Lewis. Her family had recently moved back to Harkers Island after her fathers retirement from the USCG. They had two children: Joan Leslie and Jonathan Brett. During the early years of the marriage, Leslie worked at a few boat yards, was on a Coast and Geodetic Survey boat for about a year, then worked at Cherry Point for about 5 years in the Carpenter Shop. During those 5 years he received the "Zero Defects" Award for his Division, competing with around 100 other workers. It was most unusual that someone as young as he, and who had been there for just a short period of time, would receive this award. It was truly an honor for him. A RIF at the base brought him back to the Island where he and Ann decided to take a chance on starting his own boat building business, something he had always wanted to do. It was tough starting with nothing, especially that first year or so, but eventually things improved. Leslie built 62 boats over a 17-year period, sending boats as far north as Massachusetts and as far south as Florida. As the demand for wooden boats waned in the mid to late 80s he decided to change the emphasis of the business from boat building to boat maintenance and boat slip and installed a railways and ramp. Leslie was a man of many talents; he could do woodworkbuilding boats and his own home and other buildings, wiring, plumbing and small engine repair. These abilities enabled him to keep overhead costs manageable and therefore make his small business fairly successful. His favorite summer pastimes was going out in his boat, getting overboard and getting a mess of clams or scallops, setting a net in the bay, or anything that put him on the water. In recent years you would most often find him, his brothers and many other friends gathered in the Bull Pen or at the Fish Cleaning Station, sharing their favorite memories or the news of the day. Its safe to say, those times will never be the same. Leslie lived a simple but full life. He adored his parents and his twelve siblings. His children, grandchildren and especially the last little great grandchild Dawson were his greatest accomplishments in life. He sacrificed many personal wishes and desires in or der to provide a good life for them. To his family and friends, there will never be another to fill his shoes. After a devastating bout with a bacterial infection in 2018, which lasted for several excruciating months, followed by severe bouts of vertigo, he never fully regained the strength, vigor and stamina he once had. It was during this time that he fully and completely surrendered his heart, soul and life to the Lord. On the morning of March 9, 2021, he peacefully stepped from his earthly home into the Heavenly Kingdom. He is survived by his wife; Margaret Ann Rose, daughter Joan Rose ONeal and husband J.D. ONeal, son Jon Rose and wife Cathy of Gloucester, grandchildren; Bertley Paul Willis Jr. of Gloucester, Contessa Ann Willis of Harkers Island, Jonathan Michael Rose and wife Rebecca of Bettie, Christopher Ryan Rose of Gloucester, great grandson Dawson Cole Rose of Bettie. In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations to the following: Free Grace Wesleyan Church P. O. Box 458 Harkers Island, NC 28531 Condolences and life tributes may be sent to the family at www.noefs.net Arrangements by Noe Funeral Service, Inc. of Beaufort, NC. Services Visitation Friday March 12, 2021 1:00 PM to 1:45 PM Free Grace Wesleyan Church (Harkers Island) Funeral Service Friday March 12, 2021 2:00 PM Free Grace Wesleyan Church (Harkers Island) Video is available for this event