Father-Of-Eight Shot Dead As He Clutched His Bible

[Medic Mike]

A TASMANIAN father of eight volunteering as a pastor in the Philippines has been shot dead during an attempted robbery.

Michael Rosendale, 49, was attempting to fight off thieves in Makati City, just outside Manila. One of the robbers had made a grab at his bag — containing a bible and documents, but no cash — when Mr Rosendale received fatal gunshot wounds to his chest and shoulder.

His mother Fay Rosendale, of Huonville, has been left devastated by the tragic loss of her son, a devoted family man who was also a proud member of the Army Reserve.

“It’s incredible that someone so generous would be taken by people he would have tried to help,’’ she said.

“He was a good, proud father. He was gentle, kind, compassionate and sensitive. He helped everyone.

“He had a heart of gold, he didn’t have a bad bone in his body.’’

Mr Rosendale was the oldest of four siblings.

He grew up in Hobart and attended Rokeby Primary School and Rose Bay High before moving to Western Australia to work in the mines.

After completing a Doctorate in Ministry, Mr Rosendale spent the past 15 years in the Philippines, where he met his wife and devoted himself to his work as a pastor.

He had eight children aged between five and 17 — two of whom were adopted.

Mrs Rosendale said she was shocked and saddened to hear of her son’s senseless death on February 19. She said the police report suggested the thief may have been part of a gang who were after cash or a passport.

 

Mr Rosendale had spent 15 years in the Philippines after completing a Doctorate in Ministry. Source: News Limited

“He had a small black clutch bag and all it had in it was his bible and maybe some paperwork. His cash was in his pocket,” Mrs Rosendale said.

 

“It’s just awful to think that the people that did this to him were the sort of people he was over there helping.

“He helped out young men who potentially could end up in gangs.

“He was just in the wrong place at the wrong time.’’

Mrs Rosendale said she had hoped to bring her son’s body home but had been struggling to meet the costs. His remains had already been transported between three separate morgues, costing the pensioner close to $2500.

“It has been very hard financially because I’ve had no help from the Government to pay for it.

“We’ve worked hard all our lives and paid our taxes but now we’re not getting any help. The Government should be more compassionate.’’

Mrs Rosendale said she now planned to have her son cremated in the Philippines and his ashes brought to Tasmania, where a service would be held. She contacted her son’s widow and hopes one day to bring her and the children to Australia.

[northtoalaska]

"His remains had already been transported between three separate morgues, costing the pensioner close to $2500."

Good grief. Talk about scam city!

A) Whenever possible, never carry anything you aren't willing to give up.

B) always give up what you are carrying. It can all be replaced. It's not worth your life.