Henry W. Ross Jr.

Henry W. Ross Jr.                                                                    1921-2009  CHICOPEE- Henry Walter Ross Jr., 88, a life long Chicopee resident, entered into eternal rest on Friday, October 16, 2009 in Holyoke Medical Center. Henry was born in Chicopee on June 21, 1921, a son of the late Henry W. Ross Sr., and Delia A. (Groux) Ross. He graduated from Chicopee Trade School in 1939. Ross was a U.S. Army Air Force veteran serving in Europe with the 8th Air Force. He served in Normandy, Northern France and Rhineland. Henry received the Good Conduct Medal, WWII Victory Medal, European African Middle Eastern Theater Campaign Ribbon and the American Theater Campaign Ribbon. He was employed for 33 years retiring in1987 from Ouellette Machine Co. in East Longmeadow. Henry was a communicant of St. Rose de Lima Church, Chicopee, and was a member of the American Legion Post 387, a life member of B.P.O.E Lodge 1849, a life member of the 447th Bombardment Group, and a life member of the 8th Air Force Historical Society. He was a Scout Master for troop 1849 (which was sponsored by the Elks) and received the Horniday Award for Conservation. In1962 he founded the 1849th Golden Nugget Drum Corp. Henry was predeceased by his wife, Marie A. (Morrissette) Ross in 1994; a son, Howard L. Ross in 1965; a grandson, Vincent L. Dupuis in 1995; and a son-in-law, Gerard Dupuis in 2002. He is survived by two daughters, Bernadette M. Dupuis of Chicopee and Alice M.L. Helsel of Springfield; three grandchildren, Carrie Sanders, Kevin Helsel, and Dawn Gentile; six great-grandchildren, Michael, Timothy, Gina, Brooke, Jessica, and Samantha; and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services are Thursday, October 22nd beginning at 8:30 a.m. from the Tylunas Funeral Home, 159 Broadway, with a Liturgy of Christian Burial at 9:30 a.m. in St. Rose de Lima Church, Grattan St., with Rites of Committal, military honors, and burial in St. Rose de Lima Cemetery. Olsen St., all in Chicopee. Henry's family will receive relatives and friends at the visiting hours on Wednesday, October 21st from 3-7 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made in Henry's memory to the United Cerebral Palsy of Berkshire County, 208 West St., Pittsfield, MA 01201. For directions or online guestbook, please visit www.tylunasfuneralhome.com .