Gross

Ralph Eugene Gross, 95, of Zelienople, passed away Tuesday, July 8, 2025.

Born June 27, 1930, in Zelienople, he was the son of the late Walter and Margaret Gross.

Ralph was a strong Christian and a faithful, active member and elder of Saint Peter’s Reformed Presbyterian Church, where he also taught Sunday school for many years. A 1952 graduate of Grove City College, Ralph was drafted into the U.S. Army during the Korean conflict and proudly served his country.

He dedicated 42 years of his life to teaching at Seneca Valley High School, where he taught history, civics, social studies and contemporary issues. Passionate about education and athletics, Ralph started the high school golf program and served as the school’s first golf coach for 35 years. He was inducted into the Seneca Valley Sports Hall of Fame in recognition of his contributions.

An avid golfer, Ralph played in the Tri-Borough Golf League for 60 years and continued golfing until the age of 91 — often still shooting his age. He also served multiple terms on the Harmony Borough Council and was well-known in the community for his massive catalog of memorized jokes and his legendary, oversized bowls of ice cream.

Outside of work and church, Ralph was a gifted woodworker and a dedicated fan of all Pittsburgh sports teams. An adoring husband and loving grandfather, he enjoyed watching his grandchildren grow, helping his sons with home projects, and was a role model to all who knew him. Ralph and his wife, Ada Ruth Gross, joyfully celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary on June 14, 2025.

He is survived by his wife, Ada Ruth Gross; sons, Andrew Gross and his wife, Cyndi, and Tim Gross and his wife, Nicole; grandchildren, Samantha Metts and her husband, Nick, Giana Gross and Davia Gross; and great-grandchildren, Walker and Sawyer Metts.

He was preceded in death by his brother, Charles Gross.

He will be remembered for his generosity, wisdom, humor and unwavering faith.

GROSS — Friends and family of Ralph Eugene Gross, who died Tuesday, July 8, 2025, will be received from noon until the time of the funeral service at 2 p.m. Saturday, July 12, at BOYLAN FUNERAL HOME, 324 E. Grandview Ave., Zelienople.

He will be laid to rest at St. Peter’s Reformed Church Cemetery in Zelienople.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Ralph’s memory to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, at www.stjude.org, or Boys Town, at www.boystown.org.

Expressions of sympathy may be shared with the family at www.boylanfuneralservices.com.

Please sign the guest book at www.butlereagle.com.