Donald A. "Don" Gross Obituary (1950

CAMDEN- Donald A. Gross, 62, died unexpectedly March 15, 2012, at Maine Medical Center in Portland after suffering a major stroke. He was born at Eastern Maine Medical Center in 1950, the oldest son of Stephen and Grace (Terry) Gross. Don spent his childhood growing up in Camden, where he developed his lifelong love for the community and civic endeavors. He graduated from Camden-Rockport High School in 1968 and received a BA in economics from Tufts University in 1972. Post-baccalaureate, Don spent a year in Yorkshire, England as a Rotary scholar to the University of Bradford to begin his masters studies. He married the love of his life and his best friend, Margie (Parenteau) Gross in 1972. The first years of their life together were spent in Worcester, MA. In 1975, Don received an MBA from Clark University. Don & Margie returned to Camden, the area he loved, in 1976. Over the years since then, he served his community in both business and public service positions far too numerous to list completely. Among them were the Knox Woolen Company, Wayfarer Marine, EC Hart & Son, Pen Bay Health Care, West Bay Rotary, Camden Board of Selectmen, SAD 28 (as board member), SAD & CSD 28 (as business manager), University of Maine system, and many more. Don's strength of character and devotion to community service was a direct reflection of the family in which he was raised. It was clear early on that he was a born leader. Don took his role as the eldest of five boys (plus one, his AFS brother Martin Kironde of Uganda), very seriously from an early age. Public service was in his blood: his paternal grandmother Ruie Fuller Gross was chair of the Camden school board when Don's father graduated from Camden High School; Don's high school diploma is signed by his own father as chair of the C-R School Board. Don was known for his love of all things Camden and Maine. Throughout his life, he was involved in town politics and civic organizations, from serving on the school board to West Bay Rotary and the Camden First Aid Association. Don never said no to anything if he knew he was going to be a help to others. The mantra "service above self" does not begin to do justice to his approach to life. He will be remembered for his endless kindness, his positive outlook on life, and his ability to find the best in everyone. Don continues to help others with his generous donations to the organ donor program. The New England Organ Bank was able to match and place all of Don's major organs; a result that Maine Medical Center had not seen in many years. His warm and generous heart already beats on in a donor recipient. Don is survived by his wife and best friend Margie, of Camden; his daughter Laura, of Boston; his daughter, Michele (Gross) Metzler, husband Jake, and beloved granddaughter Maggie of Bangor; his parents Stephen and Grace (Terry) Gross of Camden; brother Peter Gross and family of Camden; brother Ken Gross and family of Camden; brother Bob Gross and family of Yarmouth; and brother Richard Gross and family of Camden. In addition, the friendships that Don made throughout the course of his life were extremely important to him and are too numerous to mention individually. He was very well loved and will be sorely missed by many. Family and friends are invited for an informal gathering, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m., Sunday, March 25th at the Camden Opera House. Selected speakers will share "Don Gross stories" beginning at 2:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations in Don's memory may be made to the Ragged Mountain Recreation Area Foundation (P.O. Box 438, Camden, ME, 04843) in order to help fulfill Don's dream to help ensure the success and longevity of his beloved Snow Bowl. 2d:{"dateTime":"2012