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FRANKLIN LAKES, N.J. – Donald K. Ross Sr., of Franklin Lakes, Water Mill, N.Y. and Vero Beach, Fla., died at his home in Franklin Lakes Jan. 5 after an extended illness.
Ross was born July 1, 1925, to Alexander and Althea Grainger Ross of Ridgewood, graduating from Yale University and serving in the U.S. Navy.
He joined New York Life Insurance as a trainee, and ended up serving as its CEO, president and chairman of the company's board of directors during the course of his career.
Ross was a lifelong, enthusiastic golfer. He was an active member of the Arcola CC in Paramus and was a longtime member of the Indian Trail Club in Franklin Lakes, where he also played competitive platform tennis for many years.
He was an elder and building committee member of the Presbyterian Church of Franklin Lakes, and he was instrumental in the construction of its church on Franklin Lake Road
Ross was predeceased by his parents.
He is survived by his wife Mary; four children, Catherine Lesher and her husband Charles, Susan Morris and her husband William, D. Keith Ross Jr. and his wife Suzanne and Deborah Cipriano and her husband Gaetano; nine grandchildren; three step-grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; brother Alexander; and many nieces, nephews and their families.
The Vander Plaat Memorial Home handled the arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Hackensack UMC Foundation Heart Failure Fund, 360 Essex Street, Suite 301. Hackensack, NJ 07601 or call (551) 996-3720.
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