CLICK HERE to view the Celebration of Life for John "Jack" Ross in speaker view 

John Alfred Ross died peacefully on Jan. 4 surrounded by family. 

John, known to his friends as Jack, will be remembered as a loyal friend with a big personality who loved to laugh while making others laugh with him and a husband, father and grandfather who loved his family, and his family loving him dearly. 

He was born on Jan. 7, 1931 in Newark, NJ, the son of Dorothy Sanders Ross and Johannes (John) S. Ross, who moved to the U.S. from Denmark as a child. Jack was proud of his Danish heritage, and the life and values his parents gave him.

From a young age, he worked in the family business, Ironbound Heat Treating Co. He achieved greatness for Ironbound, moving it from its founding location in an old church in the Ironbound district of Newark New Jersey to a green field in Roselle NJ.  Ironbound was an early leader in vacuum heat treating, with a reputation of technology, service and personal relationships. He served as President of the Metal Treating Institute (MTI) and was the recipient of the MTI Legend Award and the MTI Heritage Award.

Jack married Phylis Knight on June 16, 1953. The couple grew up in Maplewood, NJ and lived across the street from each other as children. They spent the first year of their marriage living in Fulda, Germany where Jack was stationed during the Korean War. After returning to the States, they started a family and had five children whom they raised in Basking Ridge, N.J.

From childhood, Jack enjoyed being outdoors and sports.   His father and he were avid fishermen and hunters and enjoyed boating on Lake Wallenpaupack in Pennsylvania.   An avid sports fan, Jack was involved with his children’s athletic teams. Among his favorite sports were wrestling, baseball, football and golf. In addition to serving on the Basking Ridge zoning board, he helped create several youth athletic fields in their home town.

In the summer of 1965, Phylis and Jack, their five children, their dog Sam and cat Frisky loaded into the family station wagon and headed to Martha’s Vineyard for the first time. They were told by an Island friend that if they got the Island sand in their shoes, they would always return. 

They did so every summer thereafter.

After raising their kids in New Jersey, Phylis and Jack retired to their home on the Vineyard and quickly became involved in the community. Jack served on the board of Windemere Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, and both he and his wife Phylis were active members of the Edgartown Federated Church and Farm Neck Golf Club. While on Island, Jack could often be found golfing, clamming, playing with his grandchildren or cooking on the grill.

Later, the couple moved to the Villages in Florida where they enjoyed warm weather, golfing and a community filled with both new and lifelong friends. Eventually, they settled in Cheshire, Conn. to live out their final years close to family.

Jack was a devoted son, husband, father, grandfather and friend. Outgoing and gregarious, he could strike up a conversation with just about anyone. He will be remembered for leaving most places better than he found them, all while offering a hearty laugh and smile.

He was predeceased by his wife, Phylis; his parents; his sister, Marion Ross Lobell; and his daughter Pamela Knight Ross.

He is survived by his sons John Ross of Warren, NJ, and Andy Ross of Seattle, WA; his daughters Dodie Ross of Cheshire, CT and Stacy Ross of Bourne MA, and numerous grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins.

A virtual celebration of life is scheduled on October 24, 2020 at 3 PM EST, to be followed by a private family celebration.