Thomas Anthony William Ross, 66, of Washington Township, NJ, died on Tuesday, March 30, 2021 at home, after a long illness. Born on June 14, 1954 in The Bronx, NY to William and Dorothy (Kiley) Ross, he moved to Bloomfield, NJ with his parents and brother at the age of 12. He graduated from Bloomfield High School School, William Paterson University and The Mountainside Hospital School of Nursing.
He married the love of his life, Dawn (Schirm) in 1984 and together they lived in Belleville, Nutley, Bloomfield, Orange and Union before moving to Washington Township in western Morris county in 1995. He was a devoted husband, brother, Godfather, uncle and a great friend to so many. He was an avid reader, loved music, spending many hours playing his cherished Guild guitar and loved to travel extensively throughout the U.S. particularly to many of the national parks in the southwest and also to the White Mountains of New Hampshire. He was particularly proud of the fact that he was able to take his wife to Paris for a weekend in springtime. He had a quick mind, a sharp wit and although at times, gruff on the outside, he was a sweet man on the inside with a heart of gold. He enjoyed repairing and renovating the home he and Dawn shared for over 25 years and was always planning a new project, the most recent being changing all of the doorknobs
and hinges in the entire house.
He started his career in banking at The Bank of NY and then moved to The Fiduciary Trust Company, both in Manhattan. After leaving banking, he went back to school to become a registered nurse, starting his career at Colombus Hospital in Newark and then several nursing facilities including Holly Manor and Harborside Healthcare and finally from 2006 to 2017 at the VNA of Somerset Hills and ending his career at the VNA Health Group. He was an excellent diagnostician but also a very caring, compassionate nurse who actively got involved in his patient’s lives and truly made a difference to his patients, their families and his co-workers.
Tom was predeceased by his parents. He is survived by his beloved wife, Dawn, brother Gerard Ross who selflessly donated a kidney to his brother in 2020, sister- in-law Debbie Ross, sister-in-law Tracy Gomez, nephew Robert Ross, niece Victoria Gomez as well as Godchildren and multiple lifelong friends, and his beloved cat, Spin.
A celebration of life will be held at a later date when it is safe to gather together. Memorial donations in Tom’s name may be made to St. Hubert’s Animal Welfare Center in Madison, NJ.
Funeral Arrangements have been entrusted to Cochran Funeral Home, 905 High Street, Hackettstown, NJ 07840.
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Reg Baker says
April 5, 2021 at 4:13 pmWhat an amazing life you both had together Dawn. The memories in the house you both worked on must be stong and in that sense he will always be with you. We send you all our prayers and love. Reg and Portia
Deb & Barry Dobrina says
April 5, 2021 at 5:01 pmA good soul who has left us way too soon. May you rest peacefully Tom. My thoughts and prayers go out to his beloved wife Dawn. May she find comfort knowing he is finally at peace. Hold onto all the beautiful memories you both made together. Sending our deepest sympathy.
aron Dobrina says
April 6, 2021 at 4:56 pmTom was a brother to me. Offering a helping hand to steady me when I stumbled. Sharing his strength when life weakened me.Rarely saying good bye at the end of a conversation without adding love ya. Tom was the godfather to my son Chas.
He adored and cherished his soul mate Dawn. their relationship ws gestalt-Team Ross – battling life’s difficulties and rejoicing in its joy. He was loyal and devoted to family and friends; his chosen family.
What a blessing to have such a man in my life for the past 50 years. May the pure light within you, guide you on my friend.