Al Rosellini: 1910–2011

Gov­er­nor Albert D. Roselli­ni, who served as Wash­ing­ton State’s chief exec­u­tive in the late 1950s and ear­ly 1960s, died today from com­pli­ca­tions of pneu­mo­nia, his fam­i­ly announced today. He was a hun­dred and one years old.

Since leav­ing office at the end of 1964, Roselli­ni has been a friend and men­tor to gen­er­a­tions of Demo­c­ra­t­ic lead­ers. His annu­al birth­day par­ties, attend­ed by Wash­ing­ton’s oth­er liv­ing gov­er­nors, became media events.

And he him­self remained active in pol­i­tics; he appeared reg­u­lar­ly at Demo­c­ra­t­ic gath­er­ings late into his life, such as the South King Coun­ty Demo­c­ra­t­ic Din­ner held ear­li­er this year by the 30th Dis­trict Democrats.

“Wash­ing­ton State lost one of its bright­est stars today,” said cur­rent Gov­er­nor Chris Gre­goire in a state­ment released to the press. “Gov­er­nor Al Roselli­ni was a tire­less leader who changed the state for the bet­ter in count­less ways. My heart goes out to his fam­i­ly on this day of incred­i­ble loss.”

“From the state’s diverse econ­o­my to the bridge across Lake Wash­ing­ton that shares his name, Gov­er­nor Rosellini’s lega­cy and the state we cher­ish are in many ways one in the same. Incred­i­ble as his accom­plish­ments in office may have been, Gov­er­nor Roselli­ni was so much more than his record. He was a trust­ed men­tor and beloved friend, and the count­less lives he touched, includ­ing mine, may be his great­est lega­cy. I cher­ished the time we spent together.”

“I called on Gov­er­nor Roselli­ni for ideas, advice and, more than a few times, a good laugh. He offered all three with equal insight and enthu­si­asm at 101 years old. The rose he wore on his lapel to help peo­ple pro­nounce his name illus­trat­ed some of his traits I most admired: prac­ti­cal with a dash of charis­ma and a bit of fun thrown in for good mea­sure. He was a dear friend who I will for­ev­er remem­ber as ‘The Gov.’”

Sec­re­tary of State Sam Reed, a Repub­li­can, echoed Gre­goire’s sentiments.

“This is a tremen­dous loss for the state of Wash­ing­ton. It’s been a priv­i­lege know­ing Al. I first met him when he was still Gov­er­nor. Al was very charm­ing and affa­ble. He gave me a lot of encour­age­ment through­out my career, espe­cial­ly dur­ing my years as Sec­re­tary of State. He will be great­ly missed.”

“Even at 101 years old, Gov. Roselli­ni was an unde­ni­able force in Demo­c­ra­t­ic pol­i­tics – nev­er fail­ing to lend Democ­rats his sup­port, advice and good humor.  He epit­o­mized what a leader could accom­plish with a lit­tle bit of for­ward think­ing and a lot of deter­mi­na­tion,” said Demo­c­ra­t­ic State Par­ty Chair Dwight Pelz. 

“I am sad­dened to learn of Gov­er­nor Rosellini’s pass­ing,” said Sen­a­tor Maria Cantwell. “He was a leader who always focused on Wash­ing­ton’s econ­o­my and our future. He remained active in par­ty pol­i­tics and caus­es like qual­i­ty health care even up to the age of 100. Today, his impact endures across Wash­ing­ton state: from the 520 float­ing bridge to the UW School of Med­i­cine to our jus­tice and men­tal health systems.

“My thoughts and prayers go out to his fam­i­ly and his many friends.”