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Nicholas F. Rosato, 74, former Ivyland police chief

Nicholas F. Rosato, 74, of Levittown, the former police chief of Ivyland Borough, Bucks County, died Jan. 6 of a heart ailment at Langhorne Gardens Rehabilitation and Nursing Center.

Nicholas F. Rosato
Nicholas F. RosatoRead more

Nicholas F. Rosato, 74, of Levittown, the former police chief of Ivyland Borough, Bucks County, died Jan. 6 of a heart ailment at Langhorne Gardens Rehabilitation and Nursing Center.

Chief Rosato joined the Ivyland Borough in 2002 and was a patrolman for a year, and a corporal for several months, before being tapped for the leadership post in 2004. The tiny borough had not had a full-time police chief since the early 1980s.

"He was there five days a week. He loved it," said Sgt. Rich Carey, the department's current officer in charge.

Five years ago, while commanding a SWAT team, he collapsed from a heart attack, and was revived by medics. With a pacemaker, he stayed on the job. He retired six days before he died.

Chief Rosato distinguished himself in the job by being accessible to the public.

"He was a true gentleman, a good man, easily approachable, a classic small-town police officer. Everyone knew him," said his cousin Brian Pontarelli.

Born in the Hunting Park section of Philadelphia, Chief Rosato was a graduate of North Catholic High School and Widener University in Chester. He earned a bachelor's degree in criminal justice and master's degrees in criminal justice and education, all from Widener University.

From 1973 until 1988, he was a patrolman in the Philadelphia Police Department's 24th District, which includes Port Richmond. He also served with the Mounted Division in Fairmount Park and elsewhere in the city.

"He served in the 24th on his horse. He loved being a cop. He was dedicated," Pontarelli said.

In the early 2000s, he was a police officer with Hulmeville Borough, Bucks County, and a part-time officer in Rockledge, Montgomery County, before joining the Ivyland force.

He was a member of the Fraternal Order of Police, Lodge 5; president and executive board member of the Police Chiefs' Association of Bucks County, and a commander of the South Central Emergency Response Team, a SWAT team that serves a dozen Bucks County municipalities.

When not engaged in police work, Chief Rosato enjoyed trains, model and life-size, as well as boating, auto racing, and tinkering with cars. He worked part time at Pontarelli's Automotive in Ivyland, and acted as pit crew when his cousin raced cars.

"Nick was very humble, kind, and a passionate man. He was the type of guy that would listen without judging. If you needed him, he would be there," Pontarelli said.

Chief Rosato did not marry. In addition to his cousin, he is survived by cousins Marc Pontarelli, Lorna Fish and Lisa Pontarelli; and special friend Maria Sauler. He was godfather to Edward Amarhanov.

Visitations from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 13, and from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 14, at Queen of the Universe Parish, 2443 Trenton Rd., Levittown, will be followed by a 10:30 a.m. Funeral Mass on Saturday at the church. Interment is in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Cheltenham Township.

bcook@phillynews.com

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