Charles J. "Chuck" Ross

Mr. Ross was born July 14, 1948 in Clearfield, the son of A. J. and Jeanne K. (Tomanio) Ross.

He was owner and operator of Ross Buick Inc., Ross-Strattan Buick Olds Cadillac and Ross Quality Cars serving the area 40 years in the automobile business.

Mr. Ross was affiliated with the Clearfield Alliance Church.

He graduated from the Clearfield Area High School class of 1966. He attended DuBois Business College and Thompson Business College. He was a member of Pi Rho Zeta International Associate.

In 1972 he graduated from General Motor’s Institute of Technology Dealership Management Training with High Honors. In 1973 he was instrumental in having a 1973 Buick flood car given to the Clearfield Vo Tech School. In 1975 he signed with Buick Motor Division, one of the youngest Buick dealers in the country. He received numerous recognition and sales award from General Motors and Buick Motor Division. He was the founding director of the Buick Dealers advertising group of the Pittsburgh zone consisting of 97 dealers. He was a liaison to the dealers’ access center in Flint, Michigan reporting activities to the board representing the group, directly to the general manager of the Dealer Access Center, Eastern Division. In 1984 he received the Highway Safety Award at the Governor’s Highway Safety Conference for being the first new car dealership to order, stock and maintain the car seats program in the Clearfield County Area. He was recognized by the Clearfield County Sheriff’s Department for his work for child safety.

Mr. Ross was a 25 year member of the Clearfield Kiwanis International Heritage Society, who honored him for his dedication, commitment and talent to serve children of the world and improve the quality of life. He was chairman for 15 years of the Kiwanis Halloween parade. A member of the Clearfield Elks #540, Fraternal Order of Police- Life Member Bald Eagle Lodge #51, founding member and life member of National Street Machine Association, was active with the Grice Clearfield Community Museum and the Central Mountain Region Antique Car Club, Buick Club of America, American Station Wagon Owners Association, Antique Automobile Club of America, Past President of the New Car Dealers Association and Chairman of the County State Inspection Group for PA State Inspection, Clearfield Model Railroad Club, Alto Model Train Museum Association and Clearfield Volunteer Fire Company #1. He was also a member of the Grand Lodge of PA SOI Lodge #189, 15 years on the Water Authority Board, CAST Board member and Golden Bison Alumni Board, past President of the Clearfield United Way, was a past Borough Council member, serving on numerous committees and the Allegheny Mountain Ducks Unlimited Chairman. He was a Tri/Gray/Y Leader at the Clearfield YMCA for 7, 8 and 9 year olds known by the kids as “Granny Good Witch”. He helped form the YMCA’s Curwensville to Clearfield Triathlon. He was a past member of the Clearfield Area JC’s and a Skywarn spotter for National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration for the National Weather Service. He was just honored by the Clearfield Park and Fair Board for his 50 years of service to the Fair Parade and help with the backstage during the fair each year.

Mr. Ross is survived by his wife, JoAnn L. (Parlavecchio) Ross, whom he married June 11, 1982, a son, Christopher Andrew Ross and his wife, Melanie of Hanover, PA, four grandchildren; Emily, Brad, Benjamin and Ethan, a sister, Annette M. Forcey, and her husband, Terry of Woodland and a brother, Andrew J. Ross, Jr., and his wife, Annjane of Clearfield and a number of nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a son, Aaron J. Ross.

Honoring Mr. Ross’s wishes there will be no public viewing.

A Memorial Service celebrating his life will be held Saturday, September 6, 2014 at 11:00 A.M. at the Clearfield Alliance Church, 25 Alliance Road, Clearfield 16830 with Rev. Robert Goldenberg, Dr. Duane White and Pastor Scott Schultz officating. Interment will be in the Hillcrest Cemetery.

Friends will be received at the church on Saturday from 10AM until the hour of the services.

The family suggest memorial contributions be made to the Central Mountain Region Antique Car Club, P.O. Box 55, Clearfield, PA 16830, the Clearfield Model Railroaders Club, 705 Dorey St., Clearfield, PA 16830 or the American Cancer Society, 26 S, Second Street, Clearfield, PA 16830.

To send online tributes go to www.bennettandhouser.com or www.mem.com

Arrangements under the direction of Bennett & Houser Funeral Home, Clearfield, PA.