Richard M. Gross
November 15, 1946 ~ September 11, 2008
Rochester: Wednesday, September 10, 2008 at age 61. Survived by his mother, Bernice Manley; loving wife, Rose Gross; sons, Richard (Debbie) Gross, & Ryan (Lisa Testa) Gross; daughters, Renee (Angelo) Spagnolo & Robin (Robert Rosario) Gross; grandchildren, Ricky, Brandon, Eddie, Joey, Alexis, Jessica & Hannah; brother, Glenn (Janet) Gross; sisters, Carol (James) Spork & Annmarie Zona; several nieces, nephews and cousins; many dear friends.
He is a Veteran of the United States Navy and served in Vietnam. Richard was the current Commander of the Monroe County VFW and is the past-commander of the VFW #6595 Keith Miller Post. He was also a member of the American Legion Post #468. Richard will be sadly missed and loved his family and his country.
Friends may call Tuesday 4-8 P.M. at Vay-Schleich & Meeson Funeral Home, 1075 Long Pond Road. His Funeral Mass will be celebrated, Wednesday 11:30 A.M. at St. Charles Borromeo Church, 3003 Dewey Avenue. Interment in held privately. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the University of Pittsburgh, Cardiothoracic Surgery “HLESI”, Forbes Tower, Suite 8084, 3600 Forbes Avenue at Meyran Avenue, Pittsburgh PA 15213 in his memory.
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I am so sorry that I could not make it to the funeral home to pay my respects. My son Joey is graduating from basic training at Lackland AFB, in Texas. Ricky was a great guy, father, brother, son and cousin. We will miss him terribly. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
I am SO sorry to hear that Rick is gone. I am having surgery tomorrow am and cannot be present for the funeral. I have back to back clients all afternoon through 8:30 tonight trying to handle client needs before my surgery and I can’t put them off until after my recovery so I will not be able to be at the viewing but PLEASE know that my heart BREAKS for you, my brothers and sisters, and for Mom. I am holding you all in my prayers for comfort, for a pouring out of God’s presence in a way that brings peace to your woundedness and strength to your weakness. I love you. Sharon
I am sorry for your loss. I have fond memories of Ricky and my Dad at all the VFW functions. He was a great and loyal friend to my father.
I am very sorry for your loss, I will be thinking of all of you.
I am writing on behalf of my dad, Whitey Winghart. He would love to pay his respects in person, however, he is in a little frail health these days and it is hard for him to get around. But he and his family send our deepest regrets to ‘Ricky’s’ family. I remember Friday nights when the guys used to bowl together and sometimes my dad had to drag me along. Ricky was always so fun and kind to a little girl. He used to make my dad and all the guys crack up! Those were the days… Anyway, again our deepest sympathies – we are all a bit better for having known Ricky and we will always smile when we think of him!!!!
I would like to express my deepest sympathy to Rosemary and her entire family for their loss. Rick was a great person who wlll surely be missed.
I would like to send my condolences for Aunt Rose, Ricky, Robin, Renee and Ryan and all family. Uncle Rick was a special guy who will always have memories in my heart of his laughter, smile and spunk and even with the distance of years between he never let that get in the way. Uncle Rick is sadly missed and my heart goes out to all.
Love,
Michelle
My thoughts are with Rosemary and the family at this time of great loss. I will miss Rick’s spunk, humor and resilience.
Our deepest sympathy to Rose and family. We have fond memories of the times that Rick visited us in California when he was in the Navy. You will be our thoughts and prayers.
Our hearts break for you as a family
Rick was a great man and Rose was his rock
Two crazies made a loving couple full of warmth, humor, and a beautiful family
to carry on his life.
Our Prayers Go Out To You
To Fill Your Days With Loving memories
Monica & David Salin
Rick and I met in grammar school. We shared some interesting experiences walking to and from school. I lost contact with him in 1959 and got re-acquainted with him through the VFW when I was the Commander of Post 4658. Seeing him again was almost as though no time at all had passed. We shared stories about the Vietnam war, our families and of course, the old days. I was so sorry to hear about his health problems but honestly believed he was going to overcome his maladies and live a long, fruitful life. His impromptu visits to Post 4658 were always welcome. He was a gifted man and a real patriot. I will miss him deeply.
Rick, I will miss the courage and humor that you brought to the Tues. group. Many times you taught me how to deal with my problems with a smile. I know the Marines that guard heaven’s streets will welcome you.
Rose and family, I am very sorry to hear about your loss. I just found out today since I reside in Northern Virginia. My thoughts and prayers are with you and the kids during this difficult time. I know Uncle Bob and Aunt Barbara were there to meet Ricky at the gates of heaven.
God Bless you all
Rose and family, The years have passed when we last saw you and Rick. Time never stands still, it passes by faster than we realize. Please know both of us express our deepest sympathy to you and the entire family.
Love Butch and Sharon
Rose, Rick, Robin, Renee and Ryan-Please accept our deepest sympathy and sincere condolences. Through childhood bouts and tussles and the years in the navy, we were so close when were together yet became so far away in both time and place. Rick’s spunky smile and easy laughter showed his sincere desire to be the best father and grandpa he could be. Rose, you helped him become the hero he was to his friends and family. Rick, Robin, Renee and Ryan you brought out the best in your dad. He was so proud of all of you. I know he’s having a few laughs with those from keith miller VFW post who went before him and made a great place for him with them. His uncles and aunts are all having a great time with him now. Our prayers are with you. Love, Tom & Maureen
Rose,
I know that mere words can not take away your pain. You are in my heart and prayers. Just know that you now have a very special guardian angel. I am sure that Monica’s Dad and my Mom welcomed him with open arms.
Love,
Cyndi
sailors paradise
the sailing was rough
you did good ,life well lived
you where blessed to be loved
by family and friends.
may the angels guide you
as you sail forever on the calm
waters of heaven.
that paradise found—-
smooth sailing forever in paradise.
Seems like a hundred years ago that Rick and I and other street urchins would walk the railroad tracks around Dutchtown looking for mischief. Actually it’s only around 50 years. Such a short time ago. But look what he accomplished in life. He was blessed with a wonderful family, friends and years of service to the community and country. It was always a pleasure to chat with Rick on those 5 or 6 chance encounters since our childhood years. My memories of Rick are nothing but the best! I can’t imagine the wealth of memories held by his family and close friends. Rick is and will be dearly missed for years to come.
SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS. RICK WAS A GREAT GUY. HE LOVED BEING MR.COMMANDER. HE LIKED COMING OUT TO VFW 8495, WE LIKE TO EAT ! RICK LIKED TO EAT. I REMEMBER ONE NIGHT HE WAS SHOWING OFF HIS SCAR.WHAT A LOVABLE NUT.HE’LL BE MISSED.A LIFE WELL DONE,A LIFE WELL LIVED.WE’LL MISS RICK.
Sorry to hear about your loss, my thoughts are with your entire family.
You all will be in my prayers.
sorry to hear about your loss.
To Rick and family, my brother and friend.
I will miss the closeness we’ve shared and the long converstations we’ve had about family, health, and personal experiences. You gave life one heck of a fight to hang onto so you could enjoy many more years with your family. I will always be grateful for the conversations we’ve had and you talking about how proud you are of your children and the accomplishments they’ve made. You were so proud of Rosemary and the strength she showed during all your health problems. I am very proud of being your sister and only sad we didn’t have more of an opportunity to be together more often. I will always cherish our last unexpected visit and how happy you were to see Mom and me. Thank you for that chance to remember some old times. Rosemary you are the strengh that Rick needed to be with us as long as he was, THANK YOU, Children, you were the most important part of your fathers life. He was so proud of you, and grandchildren you are the motivation that kept Grandpa going for so long. He would talk about the sporting events you would call and ask him to come to, you are to be so proud that you took that opportunity to make him feel so important in your life.
Rick, Jim and I will miss you but the conversations we’ve had will live on in my mind and heart forever. Thank you for showing me how much you respected me and loved me in the last few years of your life.
I will miss you Rick, my brother, my friend.
Carol and Jim
we are so sorry for your lost
We have never personally met Mr. Gross but know so much of him through Rich and Debbie Gross, who are dear friends. I know he will be truely missed by his family and friends. In knowing his son Rich and his wife, Debbie, we know that he must have been a great man. God Bless and with deepest sympathy to all who knew him.