Ross A. Smith, 81, passed away peacefully on Saturday, July 15, 2017 at his home in Doylestown, PA.
Ross was born to the late Ernest H. and Frances Houck Smith. He was preceded in death by his brother Holley R. Smith. His parents were the original founders of the Holley Ross Pottery Shop in La Anna, PA, which is still a family run pottery and gift shop in the Poconos.
Ross is survived by his beautiful and devoted wife of almost 60 years, Lois McKay Smith, their daughter,
Betsy Ruth Panacio of Doylestown, PA and son Kevin Ross Smith (Annette) of Red Hill PA, and six grandchildren: Kristin, Nicholas, Nathan, Erin, Shannon, Emily, two great grandchildren Hailey and Hayden, and nieces Laura Reichner and Audrey Holley Moyer (Brian).
Ross graduated from Green-Dreher Sterling High School, Newfoundland PA in 1953, and was a 1957 graduate of West Chester State Teachers College. An accomplished musician himself, he was a teacher and mentor to many. Ross taught secondary instrumental music for 31 years, the last 18 of which were at the Central Bucks West High School in Doylestown, PA, where he served as the Director of Instrumental Music for the Central Bucks School District. In addition, Ross taught at Upper Moreland High School in Willow Grove, PA and at Conrad Weiser Area High School in Wernersville, PA.
Before retiring in 1991, Ross was a part-time radio announcer at WBUX in Doylestown, using the radio personality name, ‘Alan Ross’. He was also a member of the Chalfont Fire Company and was an Emergency Medical Technician with the Chalfont Ambulance Squad in Chalfont, PA.
After retirement he and Lois built a log home, and moved to his beloved Pocono Mountains. He served a term as Treasurer of the Newfoundland Library and was also a member of their Board of Directors.
He was an active member of the La Anna United Methodist Church as a choir member, Lay Speaker, and chairman of the Administrative Board of the church.
Memorial services will take place at Wesley Enhanced Living in Doylestown, PA on Saturday, July 22, 2017 at 1:30 PM, and also at the La Anna United Methodist Church, Rt. 191, in La Anna PA on Saturday, July 29, 2017 at 1:30 PM. Joseph J. Pula Funeral Home, 23 North 9th St. Stroudsburg, PA 18360 is assisting the family with arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in memory of Ross A. Smith to either the Doylestown Hospital c/o Doylestown Health Foundation, 595 W. State Street, Doylestown, PA 18901, or the La Anna United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 142, Newfoundland, PA 18445.
www.pulafuneralhome.com
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