Joseph "Bip" Gross

Lowellville - Joseph "Bip" Gross, Sr., 92, of Lowellville, died Monday, March 24, 2008 at his residence. Mr. Gross was born October 7, 1915 in Bedford, Indiana, a son of Angelo and Mary Lettera Gross. A 1933 graduate of East High School, Mr. Gross worked as a mill right for Sharon Steel, retiring in 1977 after 38 years. He loved golfing, bowling, and playing pool. Mr. Gross also loved all sports and enjoyed watching football. He was a member of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Church in Lowellville. Mr. Gross was a United States World War II Army veteran serving in the 4th armored division in Germany under General Patton. He received the Good Conduct Medal, the Distinguished Unit Badge, the European African Middle Eastern Campaign medal with three bronze stars, and the World War Victory Medal. He leaves his wife, the former Lola M. Gross, whom he married February 12, 1938; two daughters, Barbara (Pat) Angelilli of Poland and Susan (Tom) Purucker of Fort Mills, SC; a son, Joseph (Barbara) Gross, Jr. of York, SC; a sister, Viola (Sam) Martone of Columbus; ten grandchildren, Victoria (Rick) Albright, John (Lisa) Angelilli, Ronald (Caroline) Angelilli, Michael (Jennifer) Angelilli, Brian Angelilli, Joseph (Heather) Gross, III, James (Rita) Gross, Michaelyn Purucker, Tom (Marie) Purucker, and Richard (Leigh) Purucker; and 17 great-grandchildren. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by three sisters, Mary Hogue, Sylvia Kramer, and Kathryn Morosky; two brothers, Thomas and James Gross. Funeral services will be held Friday at 10:30 a.m. at Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Church. Interment will follow in Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Cemetery. Friends will be received Thursday from 5-8 p.m. at the Cunningham-Becker Funeral Home, Lowellville, where a prayer service will be held Friday at 10 a.m. The Gross family would like to express their sincere appreciation and thanks to Forum Health Hospice for the loving care given to Mr. Gross. Please visit www.beckerobits.com to send condolences.

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