Cherry Family · Profile

Rosemarie Cherry: The Woman Who Held the Cherry Family Together

Rose Cherry married Don in 1957 and stayed at his side through 16 years of minor league hockey, a Stanley Cup final and the birth of Coach's Corner. She died in 1997, and her name still stands over a children's hospice in Ontario.

By The Cherry Family Desk · Milton, ON · 5 min read

Rosemarie Cherry. Photo for illustration.

Rosemarie Cherry at a glance

Married

1957

Husband

Don Cherry

Children

Cindy & Tim

Died

1997

Quick answer: Rosemarie "Rose" Cherry was the first wife of Canadian hockey broadcaster Don Cherry. They married in 1957 and had two children together, Cindy and Tim. She died in 1997 after a battle with liver cancer. Her name lives on at Rose Cherry's Home for Kids, a children's hospice in Milton, Ontario.

The short version

WhoDon Cherry's first wife.
MarriedFrom 1957 until her death in 1997. About 40 years.
ChildrenCindy Cherry and Tim Cherry.
Died1997 after a battle with liver cancer.
LegacyRose Cherry's Home for Kids in Milton, Ontario.

Who was Rosemarie Cherry?

Rose married Don when he was a young defenceman with no guarantee of a paycheque past the season. For 16 years he bounced around the minors, and Rose moved the family from town to town with him.

Don has told the story many times of Rose keeping the house running on very little. When he finally got the Boston Bruins job in 1974, he has always said it was as much her win as his.

Her life with Don Cherry

1957Marries Don Cherry, early in his playing career.
1950s to 1970sMoves the family town to town as Don plays 16 seasons in the minors.
1960sTheir two children, Cindy and Tim, are born.
1974Don becomes head coach of the Boston Bruins. The family settles in Boston.
1979Don moves to the Colorado Rockies for one season.
1980Don joins Hockey Night in Canada. The family settles in Ontario.
1997Rose Cherry passes away after a battle with liver cancer.

Her death in 1997

Quick answer: Rose Cherry died in 1997 after a battle with liver cancer. Don has spoken publicly about how hard the loss hit him.

Her death came while Don was at the peak of his fame on Hockey Night in Canada. He kept working, but he has admitted on air that the years right after were the lowest of his life.

He could not watch parts of the CBC film Keep Your Head Up Kid: The Don Cherry Story. He said the actress playing Rose looked so much like her that it was too painful.

Rose Cherry's Home for Kids

Rose's name lives on in Milton, Ontario at Rose Cherry's Home for Kids. It is a hospice for children with life-limiting illness. Don and the family backed the project, and it has been a focus of Cherry family charity work ever since.

The building was formerly known as the Darling Home for Kids. It was renamed to honour Rose after the family's support. It still operates today and serves families from across the Greater Toronto Area and southern Ontario.

That is the part of the story fans bring up most when Rose's name comes up. It is a quiet legacy for a woman who never wanted the microphone.

Rose Cherry's Home for Kids, Milton, Ontario

Local quick answer: Rose Cherry's Home for Kids is a children's hospice in Milton, Ontario. It was named in memory of Rosemarie Cherry and is supported by the Cherry family.

Milton sits west of Mississauga in Halton Region. It is about a 40 minute drive from downtown Toronto. The hospice serves families from across the Greater Toronto Area and southern Ontario.

Milton Mississauga Oakville Burlington Halton Region Toronto Hamilton Kingston, ON

Milton, Ontario. Illustration.

The Cherry family tree

Family tree

Don CherryCoach & broadcaster

Rosemarie CherryFirst wife · 1957 to 1997 Luba CherrySecond wife · since 1999

Cindy CherryDaughter Tim CherrySon

Frequently asked questions

Who was Rosemarie Cherry?

Rosemarie "Rose" Cherry was the first wife of Canadian hockey broadcaster Don Cherry. They married in 1957 and had two children together, a daughter named Cindy and a son named Tim. She died in 1997.

When did Don Cherry marry Rose?

Don Cherry and Rosemarie Cherry married in 1957. They were together for about 40 years, covering his entire minor league playing career and most of his coaching career.

When did Rose Cherry die?

Rose Cherry died in 1997 after a battle with liver cancer. She was in her early 60s.

How many children did Rose Cherry have?

She had two children with Don Cherry. A daughter named Cindy Cherry and a son named Tim Cherry.

What is Rose Cherry's Home for Kids?

Rose Cherry's Home for Kids is a children's hospice in Milton, Ontario, Canada. It was named in memory of Rosemarie Cherry and is supported by the Cherry family.

Did Don Cherry remarry after Rose?

Yes. Don Cherry married Luba Cherry in 1999, two years after Rose passed away. They have been together since.

Was Rose Cherry involved in hockey?

She was not involved professionally. She supported Don through 16 years in the minor leagues and through his coaching career with the Boston Bruins and Colorado Rockies.

Where did Rose and Don Cherry live?

They moved constantly during his playing days across the minor leagues. They later settled in Ontario as his broadcasting career with Hockey Night in Canada took off.

Why is Rose Cherry still talked about?

Don Cherry has spoken about her many times on air and in interviews. The children's hospice in Milton that carries her name keeps her legacy visible across Ontario.

More on the Cherry family

Don Cherry: Age, career, net worth and where he lives now

Luba Cherry: Don's second wife, married 1999

Cindy Cherry: Don's daughter

Tim Cherry: Don's son and podcast producer

Reference: Don Cherry on Wikipedia · Coach's Corner on X

Rosemarie Cherry. Photo for illustration.

Details on this page come from public reports. The Cherry family keeps some personal details private. We update this page only with verified information.