COPPERAS COVE, Texas, and GLENBURN – U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Eric Shea-Edward Ross died Feb. 9, 2007, in Iraq. He was born March 18, 1980, in Bangor, the son of Douglas Poor and Rhonda Bickmore. Eric was a platoon sergeant responsible for many soldiers. At the time of the incident, Eric was in charge of a nine-man squad who fell victim to an explosion of a booby-trapped building and was one of three soldiers who perished. The other six members of his squad were injured. Eric was a highly dedicated soldier whose main concern was the safety of the men under his command. Eric was an outstanding leader who climbed in rank quickly and was very proud to be an American soldier. This was his second tour of duty in Iraq. Above all, Eric was a loving father, husband and son who placed great value in family life. Eric graduated from Orono High School in 1998, then joined the Army in 2001, and was stationed at Fort Hood, Texas. He leaves behind a wife, a son, a daughter and an unborn son. Some of his passions while growing up were video games, friends and family. Eric was an easygoing, caring, responsible young man. More recent pastimes included fishing, target practice and computer games. He valued the time he was able to spend at home with his wife and children. Eric was a true American hero and will be sadly missed by all who loved him. He is survived by his wife, Alison Lorraine (Mockler) Ross of Copperas Cove, Texas; a son, Trevor Ross, 7, of West Virginia; a daughter, Megan Ross, 4, of Copperas Cove, Texas; an unborn son; his parents, Rhonda Bickmore of Kenduskeag and Douglas Poor of Corinth; a stepfather, Brian Bickmore of Hermon; a stepmother, Denise Poor of Corinth; three sisters, Renee (Ross) Johnston of St. Louis, Breanna Bickmore of Kenduskeag and Deidre Poor of Corinth; a brother, Micah Bickmore of Kenduskeag; three grandmothers, Alice Poor of Kenduskeag, Ida Daigle of Kenduskeag and Elenor Bickmore of Kenduskeag; a grandfather, John Daigle of Kenduskeag; a great-grandmother, Dorothy Thayer of Glenburn; five uncles, Edward Small III of Glenburn, Eric Bickmore of Augusta, Randy Bickmore of Cumberland, Mike Kenny of Veazie and David Ferrelli of Dover, N.H.; two aunts, Christina Poor-Ferrelli of Dover, N.H., and Ann Kenny of Veazie; two nephews, Gavin Ross and Jesse Johnston of St. Louis. He was predeceased by grandfathers, John Poor of Kenduskeag, Edward Small Jr. of Glenburn and Ashley Bickmore of Glenburn; as well as an aunt, Kathy Poor of Kenduskeag. Eric will be greatly missed by his best friend, Sgt. Brad Sabota of San Antonio, who was injured in an explosion while they were serving together during Eric’s first tour of duty in Iraq. A funeral service will be held in Bangor at a date and time to be announced later this week. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Wounded Warrior Project, Eric Shea-Edward Ross, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675-8517, an organization that assists injured military personnel. Arrangements by Brookings-Smith, 133 Center St., Bangor. Condolences to the family may be expressed at www.BrookingsSmith.com
ERIC SHEA-EDWARD ROSS
