SPENCER – Br. Richard Ross, O.C.S.O. of St. Joseph's Abbey, passed away peacefully on Monday, March 9th at St. Vincent Hospital in Worcester.
Born Richard Harold Ross, in Burlington, Vermont, on October 1, 1930, he was the son of Harold George Ross and Evelyn Rose Ross (née Durant). He attended Cathedral High School in Burlington, Vermont, where he sang as a tenor for the Junior Choir. After high school he was employed as a printer's apprentice.
On May 13, 1951 he entered Saint Joseph's Abbey as a Lay Brother, taking the name Brother M. Ronald. He pronounced his solemn vows in 1956.
Over his sixty-four years in the monastery Br. Richard served the abbey as community cook; retreat house cook; tailor and presser for the abbey's vestment workshop, The Holy Rood Guild and, owing to his beautifully melodic voice, as a member of the abbey's schola cantorum.
He was pre-deceased by his brother, Ronald Ross. He was also pre-deceased by his brother, Cray Ross, who died precisely one year to the day before Br. Richard. As well as his monastic brothers at the abbey, Br. Richard is survived by his sister, Marilyn Reynolds, and her husband, Edward Reynolds; his sister-in-law, Dr. Alice Ross; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Br. Richard was noted for his cherubic countenance and joyful disposition, a quick and ready smile and welcoming embrace. His monastic brothers wish to thank the lay staff at St. Joseph's Abbey infirmary for their dedicated care of him in his final years. With gratitude for the gift of his presence among us, the monks commend Br. Richard's soul to your prayers. There are no calling hours. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Joseph's Abbey on Thursday, March 12, at 2 P.M. Burial is in the abbey cemetery. J. HENRI MORIN & SON FUNERAL HOME, 23 Maple Terrace, Spencer, 508-885-3992, is directing arrangements.