Necropolis of Russian Shanghai (Некрополь русского Шанхая) record
- ID: 1451
- Surname: Rossi
- Forename and paternity: Vladimir Emilievich
- Фамилия: Росси
- Имя и отчество: Владимир Эмильевич
- S: m
- Date of birth // Дата рождения: 1894-08-08
- Date of death // Дата смерти: 1947-11-25
- Occupation // Профессия: Political Service of the French Municipal Police
- Details of death // Детали смерти: Possibly poisoned
- Burial place // Место захоронения: Bubbling Well
- Notes // Примечания: Descendant of the famous Russian architect Carl Ivanovich (Carlo di Giovanni) Rossi (1775–1849). Escaped from Russia with no means of existence; spent some time in Paris and Rome working as a tram driver. Spoke several European languages, which helped him to find employment at the Service polique of the French Municipal Police in Shanghai. His job consisted of monitoring the Soviet press with regards to France (Slobodchikov, 235–236). Wife Sophia Lvovna Balk, b. 1905 in Simferopol. Daughter Marina, b. 1930 in Manila; daughter Olga (Hawkes), b. 1942 in Shanghai. According to Olga Hawkes, Russian at Heart: Sonechka’s Story (2009), Rossi died in 1947, possibly poisoned by the Soviet secret service because of his anti-Soviet activities. “In early November, Vladimir fell ill with a high temperature. He then became delirious. He was rushed to the Russian Hospital, where they found he had contracted typhus. Once in hospital they found he had severe anaemia, which was attributed to a stomach ulcer.” Having recovered and ready to be discharged, Vladimir suddenly died after being given something to drink by the hospital staff.