Rofe died on 16 May 2003, aged 69, after being diagnosed with cancer. At his funeral service on 21 May 2003, more than 200 people attended the Trinity College chapel in Parkville, Victoria and they heard Rofe eulogised as a friend, a brother, an uncle, a mentor, a passionate supporter of Australian artists and of the Essendon Football Club. As the mourners left the chapel, "When Stan Was the Man", was being played. Ed Nimmervoll, another "Go-Set" journalist dedicated his book, "Friday on My Mind" (2004) to Rofe, who had inspired him to become focussed on music.