William (Bill) Gross
(October 1, 1919 – August 21, 2010)
William (Bill) Gross passed away in Estevan, Sask. on Saturday, August 21, 2010 at the age of 90 years.
Bill is lovingly remembered by his wife Pearl of 67 years; daughters Joan (Ken) Barnstable, Estevan, and Carole (Rod) Staff, Prince Albert; son Keith (Jan), Estevan. He will be dearly missed by his grandchildren Lane (Tamara) Gross, Edmonton; Nolan (Dawn) Gross, Regina; Shayla and Cason Staff, Prince Albert; and great granddaughter Jaidyn, Moose Jaw. Also left to cherish his memory are sisters Mary Schiller, Weyburn, and Cecilia (John) Olheiser, Carlyle; numerous nieces and nephews.
Bill was predeceased by his parents Joseph and Maria Gross, brothers Paul, Joe, and Ladis.
Born in Tuzina, Czechoslovakia, October 1, 1919, Bill and his family immigrated in 1929 to the Saskatoon/Goodsoil, Saskatchewan area. On December 26, 1942 he married the love of his life Pearl, at Maymont, Saskatchewan, and moved to the M & S Mine near Bienfait. He worked as a coal miner and electrician, and soon became known as a “jack of all trades”. While living at the mine, daughter Joan and son Keith were born. Bill started selling Electrolux vacuums in 1953 and in 1955 he left the mine and moved to Estevan After Pearl’s sister passed away in 1969, Frieda’s daughter, Carole, was adopted by Bill and Pearl. Bill continued to sell and install vacuums with Pearl’s assistance until 2006.
Bill enjoyed hunting game birds and big game such as deer, moose and elk. Bill and Pearl enjoyed travelling to points in the U.S.A., like New York, Las Vegas, and Laughlin; however, his favourite American stop was Noonan, North Dakota.
His mind always remained sharp as a tack. There wasn’t anything he couldn’t fix or make; his “creative” mind was always at work. Bill passed away peacefully at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Estevan, Saskatchewan being only 40 days short of his 91st birthday. Oh, how he loved birthdays! He had good life!
Visitation will be held on Thursday, August 26, 2010 from 7:00 – 8:00 p.m. in the chapel of Hall Funeral Services, Estevan. Funeral Service will be held on Friday, August 27, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. in St. Paul’s United Church, Estevan, with Deborah Laforet officiating. Interment will follow in Souris Valley Memorial Gardens, Estevan.
In lieu of flowers, those so wishing may make donations to the St. Joseph’s Hospital Foundation, Estevan, or St. Paul’s United Church, Estevan, in Bill’s memory.
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