Francis G. "Chick" Ross

Francis G. "Chick" Ross, 69, of Milford, NH passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his loving family on September 22, 2019. Born on April 8, 1950 in Rochester, PA, he was the son of the late Frank and Nellie (DiPietress) Ross.

Chick was a 1968 graduate of Hopewell Senior High School. Immediately following high school graduation, he enlisted in the United States Air Force. After basic training at Lackland AFB, TX, he went to the Communications Electronics Technical School at Keesler AFB, MS. He had multiple assignments during his 20 year tenure in the Air Force, starting in 1969 at the Presidential Aeronautical Ground Station at Andrews AFB, MD, Strategic Air Commands 4th Airborne Command and Control Squadron at Ellsworth AFB, SD in 1972. In 1977 he was selected for assignment to the 98th Military Airlift Squadron Special Air Missions (SAM) 89th Military Airlift Wing, Andrews AFB, MD. He was an instructor and flight standardization communication systems operator on the C-9, C-20, C-135 and C-137 VIP aircraft. He spent the remainder of his Air Force career in the 89th flying our senior government leaders around the world. He retired in 1988 as an E8, Senior Master Sergeant, after 20 years of honorable service. Upon return to civilian life, he worked in the Defense Industry. He started as a test engineer with Quality Systems Incorporated. He finished 26 years of industry service with QSI, BAE Systems and Odyssey Systems Consulting Group, retiring in 2014.

Chick was always an avid Drag Racer. He started going to the races when he was 9 years old. At the age of 16, he started to race. He began his career on motorcycles and ended his career with a beautiful 1967 Camaro which he raced in the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) series. He loved racing with a passion and loved it when all his family was together at the races. He also loved his racing friends. He was well known in NHRA Division 1. He won the NHRA Division 1 Championship in the Super Gas Category in 2016, fulfilling a lifelong dream.

Above all else, Chick was a devoted husband, father, stepfather and proud PAP-PAP who cherished time spent with his family. He is survived by his wife of nearly 30 years, Janet (Thorburne) Ross of Milford, NH; his daughter, Rachel Ross-Kroemer and her husband Steve of McCordsville, IN; his son, Francis Ross and his wife Caitlin of Loogootee, IN; his sister, Natalie McDermott and her husband Bruce of Winfield, IL; his step-son Ron Grubb and his partner Sara Blevins of Knoxville, TN; his step-son Casey Grubb and his wife Amanda of Hollis, NH; seven grandchildren, Kaeleigh Ross, Jack and Ryan Kroemer, Ava, Reggie, June and Jackson Grubb; and one nephew, Jason McDermott of Dallas, TX.

Visitation will be on Sunday, September 29th from 2PM-6PM at Phaneuf Funeral Homes and Crematorium, 243 Hanover Street, Manchester, NH. Funeral service will be on Monday, September 30th at 10:30am in the funeral home. He will be laid to rest at the New Hampshire State Veterans Cemetery, 110 Daniel Webster Highway, Boscawen, NH.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Caring For A Cure: https://www.massgeneral.org/cancer/everydayamazing/caring-for-cure/ Or, if you prefer to write a check, please make it out to CARING FOR A CURE and mail to: Mass General Hospital Development Office, Attn: Caring For A Cure, 125 Nashua Street, Boston MA 02114