Frank T. Ross

Frank T. Ross Jr. Frank T. Ross Jr. of Tunkhannock, Pa. died Friday October 24, 2014 in Tyler Memorial Hospital after a brief stay. He was born in Scranton on August 2, 1935 to Frank T. and Mary R. Regan Ross. Frank was brought up in the Roman Catholic Faith and received his early education in parochial schools. Frank was a 1953 graduate of Tunkhannock High School and as an adult attended Misericordia College. Frank was a Marine Corp veteran of the Korean Conflict and attained the rank of Sergeant. He was the Marine welterweight boxing champion during his enlistment and had many entertaining and terrifying stories about boot camp experiences on Parris Island. He held the belief, “once a Marie, always a Marine. Frank worked in his father’s auto body shop in Tunkhannock before and after his service in the Corps, He operated Ross Auto Parts for a brief time and managed a branch of Glass Specialty System in Tunkhannock for several years. He moved to Florida in 1981 and resided in that state for 24 years. In 2005 he returned to Pa with his wife, the former Denise Bilbie of Leechburg, to whom he was married for 15 years. Unit recently he and his wife owned and operated a personal care home in Leechburg. Frank returned to Tunkhannock in November of 2013 to finish out his days living near his family. Franks had many interest and was a well-known Class A trap shooter in the 1970’s. He played a wicked game of pool, was quite good at darts and became an avid and accomplished bowler in his 50’s, owning and operating pro shops in Pinellas Park, FL and Leechburg. He was a certified bowling coach and bowling remained a passion even though declining thought declining health prevented him from active participation. Frank is survived by three children with his first wife, Tunkhannock native Joyce Hefferan, to whom he was married for 18 years, They are Kenni Ross Parr (Bobby), Frank T.,IV (Helene), both of Tunkhannock and John R. “Jack” (Vlasta) of Prospect, NY. His grandchildren are Matthew R. Parr (Michelle),West Grove, Pa.; Kendall Parr Mowry (Roger) Tunkhannock, USMC Cpl Jess Ross Parr, Twenty Nine Palms, CA; Daniel, Samuel, Maryn, Aubrey and Lily Francine Parr, Hannah, Sara, Zachary and Joseph Ross all of Tunkhannock; Mary and John Ross of Prospect, KY. His great grandchildren are James, Mae, William & Seth Parr and Josiah, Ellie, Anne, Jonathan & Ivy Mowry. Frank is also survived by his younger brothers Robert, Tunkhannock and Thomas of, Dimock, and his wife, Denise, from whom he was separated but felt great affection for. Also, Denise’s 3 children Danielle Bott, Bryan LeWay & Carrie LeWay and her 5 grandchildren, include Haden. Frank’s 3 children are grateful that they were able to spend the final hours of their “Daddy’s” life at his bedside. A private graveside service was conducted with military honors on Monday at Sunnyside Cemetery in Tunkhannock, where his ashes were interred near his parents. On line condolences may be sent to www.sheldonkukuchkafuneralhome.com