OXFORD – Clifton “Jack” Ross, 85, of Oxford passed away on March 29, 2012 at Chenango Memorial Hospital, Norwich.
He was born on May 30, 1926 in Oxford a son of the late Allen and Laura (Fuller) Ross.
He is survived by his wife, Donna of Oxford; his children, Lorna and Mark Liberti of Newark, Del., Martin and Lauren Ross of Little River, S.C., Brian Ross and partner Jen Noyes of Sherburne, and George Ross of New Berlin; his brothers, Clifford (Chuck) Ross, Lynn (Pinky) and Alice Ross, and Donald (Popeye) and Grace Ross all of Oxford; and his granddaughters, Meagan Ross of Johnson City and Catherine Ross of Greene; and his sister-in-law, Jane Ross and brother-in-law, William Harvey. He was predeceased by his brothers, Albert (Bud) Ross and Gerald Ross and sisters, Bernice (Happy) Baker and Mabel Harvey; and sisters-in-law, Marie Ross and Marian Ross, as well as brother-in-law, Richard Baker. Several nieces, nephews and cousins also survive.
Jack graduated from Oxford Academy and Central School. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps and was a member of Fort Hill Post #376, American Legion. He served in the Oxford Fire Department for many years. He was a member and Past Master of Oxford Lodge #175 F&AM and a member of Oxford Chapter #254, Royal Arch Masons. He was a member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church of Oxford. He was one of the main people in the construction of the “Little Church” that Oxford places on Lafayette Park each Christmas. He loved to mow lawns and was known for his finish carpentry skills.
He worked at the W.R.C. Home, now the NYS Veterans’ Home, for 31 years. His family moved to Oxford from Pennsylvania for his mother to be the head cook at the W.R.C. Home and his father was the assistant head cook.
Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. Monday. Members of Oxford Lodge conducted a service, followed by the Rev. Allen Lang officiating at the funeral service. Burial followed in Riverview Cemetery, Oxford.
Friends called at the Behe Funeral Home, 21 Main St., Oxford on Monday from 9-1.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Oxford Fire Department Emergency Squad, PO Box 172, Oxford, NY 13830 or the American Heart Assn., PO Box 417005, Boston, MA 02241-7005.
Memories and condolences may be made by visiting www.behefuneralhome.com.