William G. Gross

William Gustav Gross, age 89, of Ligonier, PA, passed away Monday, July 29, 2024.

Bill was a 1954 graduate of Latrobe High School, where he was a varsity letterman in football, basketball and track. He met his future wife, Patricia McCarthy Gross, at a teen social in Latrobe – he said it was at Harry’s Danceland, but she claimed it was at a party at Latrobe Roller Garden. Either way, they fell in love and were married in February 1957. 

They had three boys: Jeff, Doug and Greg – and raised them briefly in Latrobe, and then back in their beloved hometown of Ligonier from 1965 onward. 

Bill worked initially at the Latrobe Bulletin, left to form a printing business for a few years with friend Angelo Caruso, and ultimately ended his printing career at the Pittsburgh Press, from where he retired at age 55 in 1990. Bill and Pat then formed an antique wicker business in Ligonier, and ran it successfully for decades, meeting all kinds of wonderful folks while selling their wares.

Pat passed away in December 2020. Bill lived on, chatting his way into the hearts of all who cared for him as he battled congestive heart failure. 

In addition to Pat, Bill was preceded in death by his son Jeff. He is survived by his son and daughter-in-law Doug and Barb, his son Greg, and granddaughter McKenzie Brown. 

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, August 1 at Holy Trinity Church in Ligonier. The Gross Family expresses its thanks to all of Bill’s caregivers in the Bethlen Communities network (now Concordia). If desired, memorial donations may be made to Ligonier’s Meals on Wheels program (P.O. Box 203, Ligonier, PA 15658).