Henry I. Ross, Jr.

Lincoln – Henry I. Ross, Jr., 81, of Manville passed away Saturday, July 22, 2023 at the Grandview Center, Cumberland. He was born on October 15, 1941, in Waterbury, Connecticut, to the late Henry I. Ross, CAPT (ret.) USNR and the late Ruth A. (Brown) Ross, the third son of seven children. His father was away for most of Henry’s early days, returning from the Pacific Theater of Operations in 1946. Henry graduated from Watertown (CT) High School. He enlisted in the US Navy and was trained as an Electronic Technician, serving as a radar system maintainer and operator on the USS Johnston (DD-821). During this time, he married Susan Alford of Watertown, CT and moved with his new bride to Charleston, SC. His son, Eric, was born just as he transitioned from active service to the Naval Reserves. The family then relocated to Milford, NH, where he was employed by Sanders Associates. His daughter, Samantha, was born, and he received his BS in Electrical Engineering from the University of Lowell. His specialty was radar systems, and he was an integral part of the development, testing, and fielding of several aircraft self-defense systems at Sanders. After 26 years in Milford, Henry and Susan departed for new opportunities in Southern California. Henry continued to provide his expertise to Boeing Corporation, culminating in the design, testing, and installation of the radar system on the Sea-Based X-band Radar (SBX-1). He retired in 2005, moving to Aiken, SC, where he developed a passion for golfing and spent many a happy morning on the Woodside Plantation Reserve Club. He and Susan moved to Manville in 2017 to be closer to family.

Henry was a lover of a good book, a bad joke, and a bawdy sea chanty. A bad day on the golf course was still a good day. The family would like to thank the staff of Grandview Center in Cumberland and Continuum Hospice for their TLC during Henry’s last days.

He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Susan (Alford) Ross; his children, Eric Ross (Laura) of Mount Airy, MD and Samantha Ross Miller of Wrentham, MA; his grandchildren, Julia and Thomas Ross, and Nathaniel Miller; his brother, Gregg Ross of Old Lyme, CT; his sisters, Marcia Crannell (Raymond) of Thomaston, CT, Elizabeth Ross of Merrimack, NH and Sara Bright (Steve) of Lancaster, PA; and several nieces and nephews. He was the brother of the late John Ross and Ruthanne Ross.

His funeral service will be held Wednesday, July 26 at 11:30 A.M. at Bellows Funeral Chapel, 160 River Road, Lincoln, RI. His burial in Riverside Cemetery in Milford, NH will be private.

Calling Hours are respectfully omitted. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Mr. Ross’s memory to the American Cancer, 931 Jefferson Boulevard, Suite 3004, Warwick, RI 02886 would be appreciated. For Directions and Guest Book, please visit www.bellowsfuneralchapel.com.

“Yea, Oh God, have compassion on the children of thy creation; administer them comfort in time of trouble, and save them with an everlasting salvation. Amen.”

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