December 24, 1949 — June 13, 2024

Gerald (Gerry) Arthur Ross, adoringly known as “Papa,” left us on the evening of Thursday, June 13th, after a brief, but courageous battle with leukemia. He was surrounded by his four loving daughters and devoted wife, as he left this earth at peace.

The fourth of six children, Papa was born in Springfield, Mass., to Edwin Oscar and Katherine (Dupont) Ross. He attended Springfield Technical High School, and went on to New York Maritime College where he met many of his
dearest lifelong friends. After graduating, he traveled the world; shipping out to Europe, the Caribbean and South America. In 1973, he was honorably discharged from the U.S. Navy to return home to care for his family when his father became terminally ill. He soon took over the family business, E.O. Ross Electric; a business he would run locally in western Massachusetts with integrity and dedication until his very last day.

In Springfield, he met the love of his life and wife of 44 wonderful years, Ruth (Mackechnie) Ross. They moved to 931 Longmeadow Street and started their life together, welcoming four daughters in six short years: Stephanie, Karin, Amy and Jenna. Longmeadow Street was a home where all were welcome, all the time. Neighbors, friends and family often dropped in for a cup of coffee, a Pabst Blue Ribbon or a glass of boxed wine around the kitchen table.

In 1987, Papa bought land in Bridgton, and built a house on the trailside of Pleasant Mountain overlooking Moose Pond, emulating the camp his father built when he was a child himself. Over the years, much like Longmeadow Street, Gerry and Ruth opened the Maine home to countless family and friends. Filled with laughter and love, Maine quickly became Papa’s happy place. His dry sense of humor and unique wit could often keep that laughter going until the early hours of the morning. In his younger years, he was on the ski slopes with his family and slalom water skiing off Pier 9 dock. During the summertime, he drove his Boston Whaler around the lake towing his girls, nieces, nephews, neighbors and friends on the tube, waterskis and wakeboards. With a backwards hat and a smile on his face, he circled the lake for hours, never phased by the number of tries it took to get someone up (38 times was the record). Until the end of his life, he spent his days mowing and weed whacking the hills, reseeding the grass, and cutting and splitting wood for the annual wood weekend. Any given night he could be found in a predictable routine of reading his newspapers and watching the nightly news with his mason jar of Carlo Rossi Paisano in hand. His favorite spot was his chair on the deck, overlooking the lake and soaking in the view.

Papa’s four daughters were his world, daily phone calls continuing into every phase of their lives, whether just checking who’d arrive in Maine on time for a Friday night dinner, or imparting his pragmatic wisdom unto more significant matters. Over the years, people often quipped “Four girls? No boys?” to which Papa, without missing a beat, would retort “Girls are the best.” His eight grandchildren were also the apple of his eye. Papa rang the “Happy Bell” each time they arrived in Maine and the “Thad Thumper” when they left. He adored every one of them and shared special bonds with each; holding down the back aft of the boat with Spencer, hours of leaf blowing with Johnny, whipped cream shots washed down by Hawaiian punch with Luke, coloring with Alexandra while wearing his perennial Santa hat, starting fires in the fireplace with Patrick’s help, watching the ABC Nightly News with Molly on his lap, eating pasta Lady-in-the-Tramp style with Samantha, and bottles with Will: milk for Will, PBRs for Papa. For the last three years, his grandpup Easton-girl was his constant companion, whether in the yard or on the couch.

In addition to his devoted bride, four daughters and eight cherished grandchildren; he also leaves behind three sons-in-law, Ryan, Matt and Chris; his siblings Bobby, Peter and Linda and their spouses; and many adoring nieces and nephews. His absence will be felt by many of his lifelong friends including his Most Beloved Friend Gary, his shipmate Daddy Duke, and Ralph, his colleague of 33 years who he lovingly referred to as his son. We find comfort in knowing he has joined many loved ones in eternal life; Pepe, Meme, his sister Christine, brother Eddie, and his dear friend Harry.

Papa was a family man. He was a person of integrity, honesty and unspoken generosity. We find solace in a post-it he had pinned to his bulletin board which read “When someone dies close to you, they take a piece of you with them; they also leave a piece of them with you.” The love he leaves is his greatest legacy.

In lieu of flowers, we ask that you drink a Pabst Blue Ribbon in his honor and hug your dad. And if you are able, please consider donating blood or registering for the bone marrow donor database at www.bethematch.org. Details for a Celebration of Life honoring Papa will be forthcoming.