November 15, 1927 - March 27, 2016

Mr. Richard W. "Dick" Gross of Matamoras, PA, and a longtime resident of the area, died Sunday, March 27, 2016 at St. Joseph's Place, Port Jervis. He was 88. He was born November 15, 1927 in Chicago, IL, the son of the late Adolf Emil Gross and the late Pearl Lillian McMaster Gross.

Richard married Kathleen O'Donnell 42 years ago on December 22, 1973 in Walker Valley, NY.

He proudly served his country in the U.S. Marine Corps and was a Past Commander and Life Member of the American Legion Post #139, Milford, PA.

He worked as a Marine Biologist for the U.S. Dept. Of Interior where he served on Lady Bird Johnson's Conservation Committee and the Alaska National Lands Bill Task Force. He worked on projects such as the St. Johns and Virgin Islands Underwater Study, Cornell University New York State SeaGrant Program. Dick has held positions in the Oregon Game Commission, North Carolina Fish & Wildlife, New Jersey Fish & Wildlife and U.S. Dept. of Interior Bureau of Outdoor Recreation. He also served in the land acquisition section of the Land and Water Conservation Fund at the federal level.

He continued to be active in retirement as a volunteer in wildlife and land management conservation policy development and educational efforts. He was active with the Pike County Scenic Rural Character Preservation Program where he served as a board member, Pike County Federation of Sportsmen, Pike County Youth Conservation School, Ducks Unlimited and the Matamoras Rod & Gun Club. He was also a past member of the Pike County Conservation District and the Pike County Planning Commission. He was the Director for the New Jersey Fish & Game.

Surviving are his loving wife, Kathleen O'Donnell Gross at home; sons, Richard Gross (Melanie) of St. Petersburg, FL, and Lawrence "Larry" Gross (Shirl) of Hagerstown, MD; daughter-in-law, Denise Gross of Moore, OK; granddaughters, Arlene Cole (Thomas) of Hayes, VA, Paula Deininger (Robert) of Gloucester, VA, and Lynn Wilson (Matthew) of Moore, OK; grandson, Lawrence Gross, Jr. of Moore, OK; stepdaughter, Randi Short (Michael) of Spring Lake, NJ; step grandson, Michael Short of Mobile, AL; step granddaughter, Mary Kate Short of Boston, MA; step grandson, Corry Short of Spring Lake, NJ; six great grandchildren, Anna Lei, Juliette and Mavis Wilson, Bobby Deninger (Megan) and Kelly Deninger (Eamon), and Stephanie Almony (Jackson); two great great grandchildren, Abbey and Savannah; also several nieces and nephews. He is also survived by brothers-in-law, Edward O'Donnell (Linda) of Matamoras, PA, and Daniel O'Donnell of Harford, CT; sisters-in-law, Denise Brocket Herkimer of New York, Patricia Koch (Ray) of Matamoras, PA, and Barbara Gross of Port St. Lucie, FL.

He was predeceased by his brother, Melvin Gross; and brother-in-law, George Brocket.

There will be no visitation and funeral services will be private at the convenience of the family because Dick always said his temple is in the woods. Burial will be in St. Mary's Cemetery, Port Jervis, NY.

Memorial contributions may be made to: Matamoras Veterans Memorial Park & Education Center, PO Box 303, Matamoras, PA 18336.

Funeral arrangements are by the Gray-Parker Funeral Home, 100 E. Main St., Port Jervis, NY 12771 845.856.5191. For additional information or to send a condolence note to the family visit www.grayparkerfuneralhome.com