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Wreck on U.S. 19 kills 'inseparable' couple

The man, 91, an expert on Medicaid and Medicare, dies at the scene of the traffic accident. His wife, 87, dies at the hospital early the next morning.

By VANESSA DE LA TORRE
Published January 27, 2006

Phil Rooss was known as the Paperboy in his Palm Harbor neighborhood, admired for his early morning routine of walking two or three blocks, picking up newspapers from the sidewalk and delivering them to the subscribers' doorsteps.

Every morning that amounted to 22 newspapers. Good exercise, the 91-year-old told friends.

People noticed this week when their papers stayed on the sidewalks, said longtime neighbor Evelyn Knausman.

"When he didn't show up one morning, we thought maybe Phil wasn't feeling well this morning - not knowing about the accident," she said.

Phil Rooss was killed in a car accident on U.S. 19 on Tuesday and his wife, Josephine, a passenger in the vehicle, died the next day. Mr. Rooss was driving the couple's 1998 Buick Park Avenue west on Cyprus Drive about 6:30 p.m. when he pulled in front of truck heading north on U.S. 19, said Florida Highway Patrol spokesman Trooper Larry Coggins.

Michael Workman, 46, of Tarpon Springs was driving his 2003 Toyota Tacoma when Mr. Rooss entered the highway. Workman's truck smashed into the driver's side of the Buick, causing it to spin onto a grass and dirt median, Coggins said.

Mr. Rooss, a longtime advocate for senior health care issues, was pronounced dead at the scene.

His wife of 64 years, known as Jo to family and friends, was taken to St. Joseph's Hospital in Tampa, where she died at 3:30 a.m. the next day. She was 87.

Workman was taken to Tampa General Hospital and later released.

For the Roosses, their long life together brought two sons, Philip Jr. and Peter, and a daughter named Lisa. They had lived in Nassau, N.Y., for many years, each carving out their respective accomplishments, loved ones said Thursday.

Mrs. Rooss was a physical therapist and skilled amateur golfer. Mr. Rooss, a World War II Coast Guard veteran, was an associate director for the New York State Department of Health, where he was a key figure in implementing the state's Medicaid and Medicare programs.

After the couple retired in 1972 and moved to Florida seven years later, their lives slowed down only a bit, said their son Peter Rooss.

Mrs. Rooss would be off winning golf tournaments at Highland Lakes, a retirement community in Palm Harbor that the couple ultimately called home. And as for Mr. Rooss? "Not that he was Jack LaLanne, but he was just an active guy all his life," his son said.

For years Mr. Rooss was a coordinator for the local SHINE (Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders), a program under the state's Department of Elder Affairs. A few times he appeared on Sunday morning television with Edward Lunquist, who, like Mr. Rooss, was on the advisory board of the Area Agency on Aging for Pinellas and Pasco counties. Mr. Rooss was considered an expert on Medicaid and Medicare.

On Thursday afternoon, Lunquist was still in shock over the death of his friend. And over at Highland Lakes, neighbors were trying to cope with the Roosses' absence.

"They gave us a key to their house and we, in turn, gave them a key to our house," said Bud St. Pierre, 71.

When he and his wife, Marianne, moved to the neighborhood eight years ago, Mr. and Mrs. Rooss were the first to welcome them to Block 22. They lived next door in the cul-de-sac, sharing their love of conversation and cocktails, Christmas gatherings and the occasional bridge and golf game.

"If we went away for a weekend, they'd take in our mail and newspapers," St. Pierre said.

The last time neighbor Knausman saw Mr. and Mrs. Rooss was the day of the accident.

They were getting into their car and heading for Sam Seltzer's Steakhouse on U.S. 19 for dinner.

"I'll save a piece of chocolate cake for you," Mrs. Rooss told her friend.

Knausman said, "Okay, Jo, when you get back, just call me. And I didn't receive a call. I thought they probably met friends at the restaurant and played bridge somewhere."

The accident is still under investigation, but it is likely no charges will be filed against the driver of the Toyota, authorities said.

A memorial service for the Roosses will be held 3 p.m. Saturday at Curlew Hills Memory Gardens in Palm Harbor.

"They were definitely inseparable," said their son, Peter.

Times researcher Cathy Wos contributed to this report.

[Last modified January 27, 2006, 01:21:16]