KENNETH R GROSS

OBITUARY 

Kenneth R. Gross 

Kenneth R. Gross, 96, of Vineyard Haven, MA, formerly of Methuen, MA,  

died May 3 at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, MA surrounded by  

loving family and friends. 

Ken was born in Providence, RI to William H. Gross, Jr. and Alice (Brown)  

Gross. He was a graduate of Hope High School in Providence, Class of 1944, as  

well as R.C.A. Institute in New York, NY, Merrimack College in Andover, MA  

and Northeastern University in Boston, MA. 

He was an army veteran of World War II and part of the Tuskegee Airmen  

Experience. 

Ken enjoyed a long career which included positions at General Electric, AVCO,  

Raytheon, Polaroid, and retired from the State of Massachusetts Department of  

Revenue in 2002. 

He was a staff member at Lowell University where he taught courses in  

Accounting and Business Management. 

During his long life, Ken volunteered at several organizations. While living in Methuen where he raised his family,  he climbed the ranks to become Chief of the Auxiliary Police of Methuen.  

In 1982, he was appointed Emergency Management Director for the Town of Methuen and served for almost  15 years. He also volunteered at St. Andrews Episcopal Church every Sunday for many years. 

After retirement, Ken lived on Martha’s Vineyard where he spent many summers as a young man. He was an  Executive Committee member of the NAACP Martha’s Vineyard Branch and Treasurer of the Friends of the  Tisbury Council on Aging. Ken could always be counted on each summer to volunteer during the Polar Bears of  Martha’s Vineyard annual early morning swim at the “Inkwell” and at the annual fishing derby.  

Ken enjoyed jazz music and cooking, and his hobbies included hunting, fishing, playing the slot machines at  casinos, traveling, hosting card games, spending time at the Portuguese American Club, and taking pictures at family functions and community events. 

Ken was predeceased by his loving wife Roberta (LaVar) Gross and his companion Patricia Mathews, as well as his  brothers William, Russell and Donald, and his sister Anita. 

Ken is survived by his three loving children: Jeannette, Robert (Michelle) and Kenneth II. He was cherished by his  five grandchildren: Patricia (Richard), Robert, Denise (Miguel), Anthony, and Daniel; his five great-grandchildren:  Jada, Remy, Ashley, Julian and Jazlyn, his sister Christine, several nieces, nephews and cousins, other extended  family and many loving friends. 

A celebration of Ken’s life will be held on Martha’s Vineyard at a later date.