A Mass of Christian Burial for Msgr. Joseph R. Rosa, pastor emeritus of Most Precious Blood Church, Bath Beach, was celebrated July 10 at the church.

He died at NYU Lutheran Medical Center, Sunset Park, July 6, less than a month after his 80th birthday.

Auxiliary Bishop James Massa was the main celebrant at the funeral Mass. Special concelebrants included Msgr. James Spengler, and Fathers John Maduri, Israel Perez and Edward J. Mason.

Born in Syracuse, Msgr. Rosa attended PS 42, and John Jay H.S., both in Brooklyn. He later attended Holy Apostles College and Seminary, Cromwell, Conn., St. Paul’s University, Ottawa, Canada; and Pope John XXIII National Seminary, Weston, Mass.

Before entering the seminary, he worked as a pizza maker.

He was ordained by Bishop Francis J. Mugavero on May 8, 1976 at Most Precious Blood Church.

He was an assistant at St. Agnes, Boerum Hill, 1976-82, and administrator there, 1982-86.

In 1986, he was named pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes, Bushwick, and in 1995, he became pastor at Most Precious Blood.

He was named a monsignor in 1995. He retired in 2010.

Father Ralph Barile, pastor of St. Mary’s, Long Island City gave the homily and remembered his friend.

“We met 43 years ago in Pope St. John XXIII Seminary in Boston,” Msgr. Barile said. “He was my best friend. He was a faithful, prayerful and loving priest to all.

“He was strongly attracted to the monastic life and the rule of St. Benedict which helped to guide him. He was humble, patient and forgiving and I will always remember him,” he said.

Burial was in The Evergreens Cemetery, Cypress Hills.