BELFAST – George E. Ross Sr., 80, a longtime resident of Belfast, died Friday, Oct. 14, 2005, peacefully at home, with his loving family at his side. Born in Malden, Mass., he was the son of Everett and Frances (Bowie) Ross, both from Nova Scotia. He was raised and educated in Malden, leaving in 1942 after high school to join the war effort. George joined the U.S. Coast Guard at the age of 17 and served on a Destroyer Escort, crossing the Atlantic in 13 convoys, escorting troop and supply ships destined for the European theater. He was very proud of his service and was active in the local VFW for many years. After the war George worked for the New England Telephone Company in the Greater Boston Area for 37 years. He and his wife Barbara then retired to Belfast where they enjoyed 23 years of retirement on Penobscot Bay. George loved hunting, fishing, woodworking, puttering and socializing with his many friends, but especially his family. While in his 70’s, he built a hunting camp in Ashland. George loved going to his camp with friends and family as often as he could. He is survived by his loving wife of 57 years, Barbara (Carter) Ross; their three children and families, Brian Ross and his wife, Dyan, of Ashford Kent, England, Diane (Ross) Martin and her husband, Kenneth, of Belfast, and George E. Ross Jr. and his wife, Molly, of Waldo; missing him dearly are 13 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren; also a sister, Pauline Pierce of Tynsboro, Mass., and many nieces, nephews and cousins scattered around the country. George was predeceased by a sister, Janet Morgan of Memphis, Tenn. In lieu of flowers, donations are encouraged to the American Cancer Society and Waldo County Home Health and Hospice. A visitation and celebration of George’s life will be held 6-8 p.m. Monday, Oct. 17, at the Crabiel-Riposta Funeral Home, 182 Waldo Ave., Belfast. A Catholic Mass will be held 10 a.m. Thursday, at St. Francis of Assisi, Court Street, Belfast, followed by interment at Grove Cemetery.