Robert Leigh "Bobby" Gross

BANGOR - Robert Leigh “Bobby” Gross, 85, died July 13, 2023, at a Bangor hospital following a brief illness. He was born May 28, 1938, in Springfield, Massachusetts, the son of Wendall R. and Florence K. (Gordon) Gross Rhoda.
Bobby graduated from Milo High School, Class of 1956. Following graduation, he attended Husson College where he continued his love of basketball, playing for the Husson Braves at that time. He joined the United States Army in 1958 where he served in Stuttgart, Germany until returning to the United States. He remained in the Army Reserves until June 1964.
Bobby joined the workforce and had a long career in construction and pipe fitting, retiring from Eastern Fire Protection in 2000. He met and married his wife, Shirley, on January 15, 1972 and they were together for 51 years. They enjoyed camping together throughout the area with friends. They also travelled frequently for various Elks’ events. He was a trustee and “Life Member” of the BPOE Elks Lodge #244 in Bangor Maine. He remained a member for over 50 years. He was selected as “Elk of the Year” twice during that time. He served in many capacities while a member and was always eager to volunteer. He loved to cook holiday meals for the underprivileged and helped to organize many charitable fundraising events.
For many years and up until his recent illness, he worked every Monday and Wednesday at Bingo which raises funds for the various Bangor Elks’ charities. He always felt that charitable work was important and saw it as a way to give back to the community in which he lived.
Bobby enjoyed golfing, bowling and softball and into his early 50’s played on various teams. He also enjoyed playing in cribbage tournaments. And he was known to organize and cook for potlucks in the community room for the residents of the building in which he and Shirley resided.
Surviving in addition to his wife, Shirley, of 51 years, are his daughter, Cheryl Russell and her, partner, Byron Perry, of Baileyville; son, Donald “Donnie” Gross and his spouse, Jennifer, of Newport; his daughter, Marcia “Marcie” Wood and her spouse, Ray, of Eddington; his stepdaughter, Robin Legere, of Bangor; stepson, Thomas Duffey, of Bangor; several grandchildren and great grandchildren; a brother, Wendall Gross, Jr. and his spouse, Mimi, of Georgia; a sister, Gail Rhoda Thibodeau and her spouse, Bruce, of Parsonsfield; many nieces and nephews; and his very dear friend, Roger Miller.
In addition to his parents, Bobby was predeceased by his stepson, Timothy Duffey; stepfather, Henry Rhoda; sister, Judy Rosebush; and brother-in-law, James “Jimmy” Rosebush.
A memorial service will be held from 10-11:00 a.m., Sunday, July 30, 2023, at the BPOE Elks Lodge #244, 108 Odlin Road, Bangor, Maine. Burial will be at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Bobby’s memory may be made directly to the BPOE Elks Lodge #244, Attn: Treasurer, 108 Odlin Road, Bangor, Maine 04401 for charitable organizations supported by the Elks. Condolences to the family may be expressed at BrookingsSmith.com.