A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated Saturday for Robert C. Ross of 1297 Hofius Lane, Hermitage. He passed away at 4:12 p.m. Tuesday (10-12-10) in the intensive care unit of Sharon Regional Health System after an extended illness. He was 78.

Mr. Ross was born Feb. 29, 1932, in Sharon, a son of Carl and Anna Smaltz Ross.

He was a lifelong area resident and attended Sharon High School.

Following high school, Mr. Ross served with the Air Force during the Korean conflict.

Upon return to the civilian life, he attended New Castle School of Trades where he learned masonry. In addition to working in the construction field, laying blocks and bricks for more than 20 years, Bob was employed by the former Sharon Steel Corp.'s Farrell plant for 35 years in the shipping department and as a steel bundler.

He was a member of Church of Notre Dame, Hermitage. An outdoorsman, he was an avid hunter and fisherman and loved the fall. He took great pride in his home, which he built, and enjoyed tending to his swimming pool and landscape. Bob was a soft-spoken man who had a tremendous love for his family. He never forgot a birthday or anniversary and was very attentive to his family's needs in a kind and caring way. He enjoyed attending his children's and grandchildren's scholastic and athletic events and always had a Snickers bar for them when they visited. Although he could be persnickety at times, his attention to detail was much appreciated when he helped build his children's homes. A true gentleman, Bob will be sadly missed by his family, friends and neighbors.

His wife of 45 years, the former Doris Marie Spondike, whom he married March 20, 1954, passed away Aug. 8, 1999. Together they shared many fond memories, including traveling to Atlantic City on numerous occasions.

Surviving are: two daughters, Lori Murrell and her husband Robert, Masury; and Jill E. Porterfield, West Middlesex; two sons, Alan Ross and his wife Jeannie, Lackawannock Township; and Robert Ross, Jefferson Township; 10 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren; and two siblings, Marge and Lloyd.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

The family suggests memorial contributions be made to a charity of the donor's choice.

Calling hours: 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday (10-15-10) in J. Bradley McGonigle Funeral Home and Crematory Inc., 1090 E. State St., Sharon. Friends may send condolences by visiting our website at www.McGonigleFuneral-HomeandCrematory.com

Service: Mass of Christian burial at 11 a.m. Saturday (10-16-10) in Church of Notre Dame, Hermitage, with Monsignor Edward J. Zeitler, senior associate, as celebrant.

Interment: St. Rose Cemetery, Hermitage, with military honors rendered by the Honor Guard of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post Hickory Post 6166, Hermitage.