Donald Gross

Donald Joseph Gross, 94, died on Tuesday, October 28, at his Orem home where he was surrounded by his loving family. He was born on June 13, 1920, in Ardmore, Pennsylvania to Henry Marcus Gross and Mary Ann Kearney, the fourth of five children. His father immigrated from Italy and his mother was of Irish descent. Don participated in track and wrestling while attending Lower Merion High School. In 1939 he completed his education, the first and only child in his family to graduate from high school. After graduating he got a job at a shipbuilding company in Chester, Pennsylvania. While working there he contracted double pneumonia. While recuperating he met a beautiful young nurse named Doris Heinselman (Dody), who became his wife on April 10 , 1943. In January, 1944, he was inducted into the Army Air Corps. While serving in the military he was trained as a flight engineer on the B-17 bomber and received a certificate of technical training in airplane mechanics. After leaving the service he was hired by Bell Telephone of Pennsylvania. Over the next 35 years he worked his way up through the ranks and retired as a plant engineer and right-of-way representative. Don was baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in December, 1973. He and Dody were sealed in the Washington D.C. Temple on August 29, 1975. After retiring he and Dody moved to Orem, Utah to be closer to their children. For years Don acted as president of the Wayne, Pennsylvania Lions Club. He also served as a scout leader and in many other positions related to his membership in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. He enjoyed doing family history work, swimming, gardening, reading and doing things that involved creating with his hands. Don will be remembered for the love he had for his family and friends. He will be greatly missed. Don is survived by 3 daughters, 10 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Dody and and grandsons Aaron and Daniel Howells.

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