In memory of John Joseph Rosenberg
08.24.01 – 03.15.22
Zealously devoted during his short life
to the welfare of wild and domesticated animals

John Rosenberg was an animal lover who grew up in Bronxville, New York. He loved animals of all kinds including dogs, cats, other pets, and wild animals. Luckily, his family lived across the street from Loraine Izzo, founder of the Center for Wildlife Rescue, for two years when he was seven and eight years old. Ms. Izzo and her son John shared John’s love for animals. At the time, she housed stray cats in her garage, had a dog and other pets in her house, and tended to injured animals. John gravitated toward Ms. Izzo and her son and learned about issues affecting animals including the treatment of livestock and challenges facing wild animals. He became very interested in the cause of animal welfare. He not infrequently said that he
wanted to help animals when he grew up.

John developed interests in the natural world, memorizing the names, features, life
cycles, and ranges of different animals and learning about different aspects of nature. He had an uncanny talent for spotting wildlife. Frequently he and his parents would see owls, hawks, mergansers (once) and other animals when walking in the woods that his parents never saw without him. On one occasion the local newspapers reported that a bear and her cubs had been
seen in a state park. He and his mother went to the park and miraculously encountered the bears.

John also loved fishing. His family lived on the Bronx River in Bronxville when he was seven and eight years old. He fished in the river and caught a lot of bluegills. He always practiced catch and release. It would have disturbed him to know that he had harmed a fish. At that age and for some time thereafter, it did not occur to him that the sport of fishing was not performed for the enjoyment of the fish. Before John released each fish, he showed his love for the fish by very briefly petting it on its head. In his mind, he was not injuring the fish but rather befriending it. He insisted on petting each fish he caught before he released it. Due to John’s interest in nature, his family went to national parks on most of their vacations. They visited the Everglades several times and also Zion, Glacier, Bryce, and Capital Reef national parks and the north rim of the Grand Canyon. He found solace in nature and an animating cause in animal welfare.