YORK and ORONO – Edward E. Ross, 88, of Eureka Avenue, formerly of Orono, died May 26, 2005, at York Hospital, after a long illness. He was born March 21, 1917, in Rumford, the son of J. Albert and Margaret (Dempsey) Ross. He attended Bangor schools and was a 1935 graduate of Bangor High School. The following year, he attended Higgins Classical Institute in Charleston. He earned a bachelor of science in forestry at the University of Maine, Class of 1940 and was a member of Kappa Sigma fraternity. He served in the Eighth Air Force during World War II and received the Distinguished Flying Cross and other medals for his participation in the European Theatre of Operations with the 493rd Bombardment Group. In 1947, he married Josephine Brown Kyle and they made their home in Orono for 36 years. He was employed by Prudential Insurance Co. for several years and owned and operated a building materials and hardware store in Bangor, until his last career with the Department of Community Development, City of Bangor. He retired in 1982 and moved to York. Ed was active in community affairs. He was a founding member and officer of the Orono Jaycees, member of the Orono Board of Selectman for six years and member of the Orono-Old Town Kiwanis. He served on the Board of Directors for the Multiple Handicap Center of Penobscot Valley. After moving to York, he became an active member of the Old York Historical Society and served six years as a member of the Board of Trustees. He spent many volunteer hours assisting Virginia Spiller at the Old York Historical Society Library. He also was a volunteer for Meals on Wheels and a communicant of St. Christopher-by-the-Sea Church. He was predeceased by three brothers, Charles E., John A. and Donald P. Ross. Survivors include his wife of 57 years, Josephine (Brown) Ross of York; one son, Dr. Philip Ross of Golden, Colo.; a daughter, Margaret Joan Ross of Portland; a stepson, John L. Kyle of Yarmouth; a stepdaughter, Rachel Kyle Milheron of Orono; five grandchildren, two stepgrandchildren, five great-grandchildren, two great-stepgrandchildren and several nieces and nephews. There will be no visiting hours. A memorial service in his honor will be celebrated 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, June 7, 2005, in St. Christopher’s Church, York Street, York. Interment will be in Riverside Cemetery in Orono. Donations may be made in his memory to the Morrison Development Center, 70 US Route 1, Scarborough, ME 04074.
EDWARD E. ROSS
