Sidney Rosen Jr., 90

Sidney Rosen Jr. who was 90 years old, Hebrew name Binyamin Ben Yitzchak, was residing at the V.A. Community Living Center in Spokane, Wash. Passed away at 9:15 p.m. Monday, Jan. 24, 2011. Just three days before his 90th birthday. Sid was born on Jan. 27, 1921, to Charlotte and Sid Rosen Sr. in Syracuse, N.Y. His father played pro Baseball in Syracuse and his mother was a model.

Sid was raised in St. Paul, Minn., and he attended the University of Minnesota until serving in World War II from 1942 to 1946 as an Army Air Corp. Cadet. He was an airplane mechanic/engineer on B25 and B17s. He was injured in the Philippines/Okinawa when his Jeep hit a land mine and then was Honorably discharged on March 11, 1946.

Sid moved to Coeur d'Alene and operated the Fish Inn with his parents in 1946 until 1949 when the freeway was put in and business was no longer exposed to traffic. Sid stayed in the area and managed the Vets club, the Silver Bar among other clubs until he bought the Friendly Tavern in Hayden in 1946 where he eventually renamed the bar/restaurant to "CHEF ROSEN'S." This establishment ultimately became quite famous for many reasons including his demand for "Reservation Only." Sid operated the restaurant with his mother for some years and with the help of his two sons Joe and Mike until he sold and retired in 1982. One of the most proud and talked about moments for Sid at the Restaurant was when he served 22 attorney-generals from all across the United States. They enjoyed a fabulous dinner at his restaurant and after the meal the entire group gave Sid a standing ovation for the most memorable and fabulous meal that they had ever had.

Sid lived his life to the fullest and his character was unique to say the least, the stories he had and told to so many were numerous. He always said it was because he had been a bartender his whole life. Sid would say that anything someone would talk to him about would always remind him of a joke, which he was more than happy to tell.

Sid belonged to the Synagogue, Temple Beth Shalom and was a life member of the VFW. During the time he was not at the Restaurant making his famous twice baked potatoes he was a farmer. For 25 years he raised cattle and was crazy about cutting wood, at one point he had as much as 60 cord of wood surrounding the house.

Sid was a very loving father, thought the world of all of his children. He was married to Irma for 13 years and had five children - three sons and two daughters. With his second wife Ellie he had a son named Samuel Aaron, whom they dedicated to G-d. Sam now lives in Israel, married with five children and is a Yeshiva student. Ellie had two daughters Summer and Johanna.

Sid had one brother Milt who was born on the same day, exactly two years younger and passed away on Jan. 18, 2008, with one surviving son Steve Rosen who now resides in Florida.

Sid is survived by his son, David William Gridley who resides in Meridian, Cydney Ann Comstock who resides in Liberty Lake, Wash., Katherine Marie Rosen who resides in the Coeur d'Alene area, Joseph Elliott Rosen who also resides in the Coeur d'Alene area and Samuel Aaron Rosen who resides in Israel. His son Michael S. Rosen preceded him in passing. Sid has 15 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

A graveside service will be held at 12:30 p.m. today, Jan. 27, 2011, at Coeur d'Alene Memorial Gardens, 7315 N. Government Way, Coeur d'Alene. A celebration will be held at Nosworthy Hall of Fame, 4045 Government Way, Coeur d'Alene, following the graveside service.

The family requests instead of flowers, please make donations to the Spokane V.A. Medical Center, in care of the Community Living Center and Hospice unit at 4815 N. Assembly St., Spokane, WA 99205.

To review this obituary as well as the option to make comments and send messages to the family please go to the website www.heritagefunerals.com.