JASPER – Frank M. Gross, 70, of Marsh Hill Rd. passed away peacefully Wednesday (May 4, 2016) at his home surrounded by the comfort of his family following a courageous battle with cancer.
Frank was born December 26, 1945 in New Haven, Conn. to the late Andrew and Theresa (O’Keefe) Gross. On August 22, 1984, in Canisteo, he married the former Patricia Talbot who survives and resides in Jasper.
Frank was a former dairy farmer on the Marsh Hill road in the town of Jasper. After making the decision to sell his dairy, he became a tractor trailer driver for Butler Transport Systems of Jasper and retired there after 16 years of driving on the road. He continued to raise cattle and drive tractor trailer from time to time after his retirement, until he was struck ill.
Frank served as town councilman on the Jasper Town Board for 4 ½ years and was an honorary member of the Jasper-Troupsburg Chapter of the FFA.
An outdoorsman at heart, he loved his hunting, fishing and off-road riding. He enjoyed reading Western fiction stories and watching the “good’ole” Western movies on TV. NASCAR racing was another pastime Frank enjoyed. Watching Dale Earnhardt, Jr.’s #88 was a favorite of his and he was always willing to play a hand of Euchre with family and friends Frank also enjoyed any kind of farming field work but especially loved to mow and bale hay in the summer time.
In addition to his wife of 31 years, Patricia Gross of Jasper, Frank is survived by a daughter Lisa (Gross) Miller of Sebastian, FL., three sons: Michael Gross VanWagenen of Sebastian, FL., Shawn (Amber) Talbot of Elbert, CO., and Jason (Laura) Gross of Canisteo. Grandsons: Michael Gross, Jr., Ryan Gross and Timothy Miller all of FL. Frank is also survived by a brother: Donald (Rosemarie) gross of Rush and a niece Heather Walworth of the Villages, FL. In addition to his parents he was predeceased by a niece Sarah Gross.
The family will receive friends from 2-4 and 6-8 pm Wednesday at the H.P. Smith & Son, Inc. Funeral Home, 29 East Main St. in Canisteo, where a funeral service will take place Thursday at 11:00 am. Burial will be in the North Jasper Cemetery in the Town of Jasper.
Memorial contributions in Frank Gross’s name may be made to either Untired Church of Jasper or to the Boyd’s Corners Church.
Online condolences and memories may be made through the H.P. Smith & Son, Inc. Funeral Home.
