Edward J. Ross of Clarkesville, GA, passed away peacefully on June 14, 2017 at home, surrounded by his devoted family. Ed, the oldest of four boys, was born on April 4, 1932 in Detroit, MI to Edward and Anne (McKenna) Ross. After graduating from Warren High School, he entered the United States Army and served two years. He married Phyllis Knoth on November 22, 1958 in Utica, MI. After working for several years as a mechanic for his father at R and R Garage, he started working in the Automotive Division of United Parcel Service. As his career progressed, he and Phyllis moved with their three children to several different states, eventually retiring from UPS in Connecticut as National Automotive Manager in 1989. He was a mentor to many over the course of his career at UPS, and was extremely proud to be a part of the UPS family.
He and Phyllis retired to Sarasota , FL, where they were very active members of the community. Ed served on the Board of the Red Cross, and was a patron of the Arts. Ed and Phyllis enjoyed their time in Florida, especially when their children and grandchildren came to visit. After fifteen years, they moved to Georgia to be closer to their children. Ed loved his final years living in his Clarkesville mountainside community, gardening and visiting his family and wonderful neighbors on his John Deere Gator. Ed never met a stranger and made friends wherever he went. His warmth and sparkling blue eyes were engaging to all who met him.
Ed was a loving husband to Phyllis. He lived for his family. Nothing was more important to him than Phyllis and his children, grandchildren, and great-grandson. He leaves behind, in addition to Phyllis, his daughters Cheryl Ross and Cathy (Bill) DeKoskie; his son, Ed Ross (Heidi); his grandchildren Hillary Charalambous (Alec), Eddie Ross (fiancée Courtney Manders), David DeKoskie, Johnny DeKoskie, John Ross, and Joey DeKoskie; and his great-grandson Michael Charalambous.
Ed, Phyllis and the entire Ross Family greatly appreciate the care and kindnesses of Ed’s in-home caretakers and the team from Hospice of Northeast Georgia.
The family will receive friends on Friday, June 16 from 5-8pm at Hillside Memorial Chapel.
A Funeral Mass will take place at St. Mark’s Catholic Church in Clarkesville on Saturday, June 17 at 10am. Burial will follow in Hillside Memorial Gardens.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make a donation to Hospice of Northeast Georgia in care of the Medical Center Foundation, 2150 Limestone Parkway Suite 222 Gainesville, Georgia 30501.
