Ilion Alumni Pharmacist and DoctorHarold Ross - IHS 1926 AlumnusNovember 2020 - Added March 2023By Aileen Carney Sweeney
Harold Ross - IHS 1926 - Pharmacist and Medical DoctorHarold Ross was born on May 27, 1908, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Gustave Ross of 15 Center St, Ilion. His siblings were; brother, Howard Ross, and sisters, Gertrude, Carrie, Anna and Irene Ross. He graduated from Ilion High School in 1926. He won first Prize, along with Miss Doris McArthur, in the annual prize speaking contest at Ilion High School in May 1926. In 1928 he graduated from the University of Buffalo Pharmacy School with high honors, receiving the coveted Kappa Psi Key. He practiced pharmacy in Buffalo, managing stores in that city, Olean and Hornell, N. Y. for the Harvey & Carey Drug Co.
Photo caption - Five pharmacy school students received prizes at the University of Buffalo commencement Tuesday. They are, left to right: Victor Fumia, Harold G. Ross, Hortance Russo, Alfred R. Karr and Sidney Sacks After four years as a licensed pharmacist, Dr. Ross entered the University of Buffalo Medical School, along with 73 other freshmen students. In June, 1938 he graduated with high honors from the Buffalo Medical College as a doctor of medicine. He then entered the Buffalo General Hospital where he was a physician and surgeon on the house staff until July 1st of 1939.
Harold Ross - IHS 1926 - PhysicianIn 1939, Dr. Harold G. Ross, a Buffalo physician, has opened an office at 7 Center street, St. Johnsville. He was a member of the American Medical Association, New York State Medical Association and the Montgomery County Medical Society and was on the staff of the Little Falls Hospital. He was on duty during the horrific 1940 train crash in Little Falls, NY.
Twenty doctors, members of the staff at the Little Falls Hospital, were on hand all through the night and during most of the day to operate and examine the victims of the catastrophic 1940 Little Falls Train wreck. Others came from St. Johnsville, Ilion, Utica and Herkimer to do what they could to relieve the pain of sufferers. Dr. Ross was shown treating Beverly Sipper of New York City. She was on her way to Toronto, Canada, for the week-end. "I just started to doze," the badly-bruised girl stated, "when things happened. I honestly can't tell you what did happen because I don't know. All I know is that I lost my shoes and that someone took me to the hospital." A total of 31 people lost their lives and over 100 were injured in the accident. The accident was caused by excessive speed on the Gulf Curve. The engineer, Jessie Earl, was killed in the crash.
Dr. Ross, was twice coroner of Montgomery County while he practiced general medicine and surgery in St. Johnsville and served as a staff member of the Little Falls Hospital. In January 1942, he had the duty of conducting an investigation, assisted by State Police from the Fonda barracks and the sheriff's office, on the death of fellow Ilionite, Leroy Fake. After completing an examination of the various witnesses, he announced no criminal negligence was involved and rendered a verdict of "accidental death." Death was caused by a broken neck when the car driven by Fake's wife skidded and hits another auto.
Harold Ross - World War IIDr. Ross, entered the US Army in October 1942. He first served on the surgical staffs of the Lovell General Hospital, Fort Devens, Mass., and the Regional Hospital, Fort Ord., Calif., specializing in the latter hospital in orthopedic surgery. Later, in the Philippines, he was chief of orthopedic service for a 1,000-bed General Hospital. He was awarded three campaign battle stars. Dr. Harold G. Ross, received his honorable discharge as a captain from the Army, in which he served with the Medical Corps since October 1942.
1944 Marriage to Miss Ursula DonahueROSS-DONAHUE source is Utica NY Observer 1944 - 0951.PDF - February 20, 1944 Announcement is made of the marriage of Miss Ursula Donahue, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George L. Donahue of Ayer, Mass., to Lt. Harold G. Ross Medical Corps, son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Gustav Ross of Ilion. The ceremony took place Feb. 5 in St. Mary's Church, Ayer, Mass. The nuptial Mass was celebrated by the Rev. Waldo C. Hasenua, pastor, who united the couple in the double ring ceremony. The Rev. Francis G. Swilling, chaplain at Fort Devens, Mass., where the bridegroom is stationed, was seated in the sanctuary. Miss Eileen Donahue, sister of the bride, was the only attendant. Howard Ross of Buffalo was best man for his brother and the ushers were J. Edward Donahue and George L. Donahue, Jr., brothers of the bride. Following the ceremony a wedding breakfast and reception was held at the Groton Inn, Groton, Mass., for the bridal party and immediate families after which the couple left for a wedding trip. They will make their home in Ayer, Mass., for the present. The bride is a graduate of the Ayer High School and Simmons College Boston and also studied at Columbica University. She was a member of the faculty at Regis College for two years and is now a therapeutic dietitian at the Cambridge Hospital. Lieutenant Ross is a graduate of Ilion High School and the University of Buffalo College of Pharmacy and School of Medicinel He was a member of Kappa Chi Fraternity. He is a member of the American Medical Association, New York State Medical Association and the Montgomery County Medical Society and is on the staff of the Little Falls Hospital. Prior to entering the service, he practiced medicine in St. Johnsville. Miss Gertrude Ross of Ilion and Mrs. Chester C. Henri of this city were among the out-of-town guests.
Utica Practicing PhysicianAfter discharge from the army, Dr. Ross opened an office for the practice of general medicine and surgery at 35 Watson Pl. in Utica, NY. At the time, his wife and their infant son joined him in Utica. They were the parents of a son, named Harold Alan, born at Ayer, Mass, May 22, 1945. They would later become parents of two daughters, Marilyn and Janet Ross and move to 183 Proctor Blvd., Utica. Their daughter, Marilyn Ross Bradford received a doctor of medicine degree from Georgetown University in 1974. Her sister, Janet Ross Hern, would receive a nursing degree from Boston College. Dr. Harold Ross, was a member of the volunteer staff of St. John's and St. Joseph's Home, Utica, for six years, was re-elected president of the Medical'Staff. He continued practicing medicine in Utica, NY, up through the 1980s.
Dr. Ross Died in 1993
Dr. Ross died on February 27, 1993. His wife, Ursula, died May 26, 2008, in Norwood, Mass. They were survived by son, Alan H. Ross, and his wife, Patricia, of Paoli, PA, Marilyn Ross Bradford, and her husband, George, of Philadelphia, PA, and Janet Ross Hern, and her husband, David, of Norwood. Their grandchildren were Kevin R. Bradford, Paul D. Bradford, Elizabeth Hern Thomison, Brian D. Hern, and Carolyn J. Hern. They were also survived by three great-grandsons, and several nieces and nephews. They are buried in Highland Cemetery, Norwood, Massachusetts.
Sources Harold Ross - Class of 1926 - Composite Photograph - www. ilionalumni.com Buffalo Pharmacy Graduates - Buffalo Evening News - June 6, 1928 - Harold Ross Ilion Harold G. Ross - Enters Medical School - Ilion Citizen November 22, 1934 Ilion Man Becomes Doctor of Medicine; Gets Buffalo Post - Utica Observer 1928 June 20, 1938 - Harold Ross Dr. Harold G. Ross Locates Here - St Johnsville Enterprise - August 2, 1939 Personal Notes - Dr. Harold G. Ross - Amsterdam NY Daily Democrat and Recorder - September 23, 1939 Tragic Scenes Are Enacted in Hospital Jammed With Victims of Central Wreck Syracuse Journal - April 21, 1940 Ilion Man Fatally Injured in Auto Accident Leader Republican - January 5, 1942 Dr. Ross sent to Fort Devons St Johnsville Enterprise - December 3, 1942 ROSS-DONAHUE Wedding Utica Daily Press - February 20, 1944 Captain and Mrs. Harold G. Ross are the parents of a son St Johnsville Enterprise - MAY 31, 1945 Dr. H. G. Ross Opens Office Utica Daily Press - February 28, 1946 Utica Doctor Re-elected by Medical Staff Rome Daily Sentinel - December 15, 1955 Progress Of Home Is Reported Utica Daily Press - January 72, 1958 Under the care of Dr. Harold Ross Canajoharie Courier Standard Enterprise - June 14, 1971 Marilyn Ross received a doctor of medicine degree Utica Observer - February 28, 1946 Janet Elizabeth Ross Engagement Utica Daily Press - May 1975 Obituary - Gertrude H. Ross Utica Daily Press - December 19, 1985 Obituary - Ursula Ross - May 26, 2008 Howard E. Ross - his brother - St. Agnes Cemetery - findagrave.com Ursula D Ross - his wife - Highland Cemetery - findagrave.com Harold G. Ross - Highland Cemetery - findagrave.com
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