John Mark Rosetti was born in Biloxi in 1912, to Giovanni (John) Paulo Johann Rosetti and Sima (Simeona) Kovacevich, who had earlier immigrated from Croatia. At the young age of thirteen, John, commonly known as “Bruno”, began working to help support the family. Over his years, he contributed to the industry in innumerable aspects - Shrimping, oystering, crabbing by line and traps, shedding crabs, knitting nets and trawls were only set aside when he was called to fill open slots as deckhand and captain when called upon.
And captain he was! In 1947, when the major hurricane of that year was approaching, Bruno found himself at the helm of the only “steel hull” vessel in the area at that time. He was bringing the vessel to safe harbor in the Bay of St. Louis when he and other captains found that he operator of the train bridge had evacuated leaving the bridge closed. As this prevented many boats from seeking safety in the storm, Bruno used his powerful vessel to ram the train bridge, creating an opening for the vessels to pass.
Bruno married Mary Ellen Thornton, also a dedicated worker in the seafood industry, with whom he raised three sons. As he worked tirelessly, both off and on the boats, Mary Ellen, known as “Mamie”, worked diligently in the factories to support their growing family.
In 1951, with his brother-in-law as partner and with the help of his bride, Bruno established Quality Poultry and Seafood in Biloxi, first in a rented building on Division Street, then later, in their own building on the corner of Caillavet and Elk Street. Still making time to participate in the Slavic Benevolent Society and coaching his sons in baseball, Bruno was able to make a great success of his business. Over the next thirty years, the business grew and the Rosetti sons were all able to attend college and receive their degrees; but of course, following their hard-working parents’ example, they also worked at the family business when not studying.
After Bruno’s passing in 1980, Mamie and their son Clell continued to operate Quality Poultry and Seafood. With the original property being claimed by the city, the business was relocated on the corner of Caillavet and Division Streets. Since the passing of Mamie in 2002, the company has continued to grow and is now a multimillion-dollar business with almost 20 employees.
What a legacy this is for a young man and his young bride who began their journey on the boats and in the factories! Theirs is a story that exemplifies the determination and courage that the Mississippi Gulf Coast’s Seafood Industry was built upon we are happy to honor them in the Heritage Hall of Fame.
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