Gordon L Ross

Gordon L. Ross, 97, of Fort Myers died on April 4, 2019 at Hospice House in Fort Myers, surrounded by his loving family. Born on December 5, 1921 to Kenneth and Mary Ross in Brooklyn, NY, he grew up in Port Washington, NY.  He was a 1944 graduate of Dartmouth College where he enlisted in the Navy V-12 program serving with the Seabees on Guam during World War II. After the war he returned to Dartmouth to complete a master’s degree in engineering.

In 1947 Gordon moved to Canton, Ohio beginning a 39 year career with the Timken Company in the engineering department. From 1966 to 1986, when he retired, he was Chief Works Engineer, overseeing plant expansions for the company at its U.S. and international locations. While living in Canton he played with the Canton Symphony Orchestra, served on the boards of Directors of the Stark County District Library and the Downtown YMCA and was in his younger years a volunteer fireman.

After his retirement in 1986, Gordon moved with his wife Darla from Canton to his summer home in Hancock, NH and new winter home in Fort Myers, FL. During his retirement he pursued a new-found avocation becoming an accomplished and prolific watercolor artist, winning prizes in Florida and New Hampshire. He was a member of the Fort Myers Beach Art Association serving a term as its  president. In 2008 he sold his summer home in Hancock and moved year-round to Fort Myers.

Gordon and Darla enjoyed many years together hosting family gatherings while sharing their many creative talents with others including shell sculpturing, gardening, painting and ginger marmalade making for the Hancock Farmer’s Market. Darla’s devotion and care for Gordon will always be remembered and appreciated by his family.

Gordon was predeceased by his first wife, Elodie (Loiseaux), who he met in high school. With Elly he had four children who survive him: Alan married to Diana Velez, Chris married to Ilene Hofrenning, Laurie Pelzek married to Bill, and Peter married to Diana Linden . In 1982 he married Darla Roshong who survives him along with her daughter, Sheri Yoder and son, Ed Roshong married to Christianne (Koestner).  He is also survived by eight grandchildren: Jeffrey Pelzek, Evan and Nathan Ross, Emily and Alex Linden-Ross, Annie and Lucas Roshong, and Kristle Eason; and two great grandchildren: Haleigh and Miranda Eason.

Donations in memory of Gordon can be made to Hospice House in Fort Myers.

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