*****UNITED STATES ARMY VETERAN*****
SOUTH PORTLAND - Wayne Harry Ross, 80, President Emeritus of Southern Maine Community College, died peacefully in the presence of his family on Nov. 14, 2016.
He was born in Monticello, Maine on July 3, 1936, to Leland Arnold and Evelyn Louise Mutch Ross. At the age of 10 he moved with his family to Augusta and graduated from Cony High School. He continued his education at the University of Maine in Orono, earning a Bachelor's Degree in Business and Economics, as well as a Master's Degree in Public Administration. On June 28, 1959, Wayne married the woman who would become his wife of 57 years, Elizabeth Anne Croxford.
Wayne spent many years as an educational administrator with a broad range of experience in planning and development. From 1968 to 1970, he served as Executive Director for the Maine Higher Education Facilities Commission, and from 1970 to 1977 he was Director of the Division of Higher Education for the Maine Department of Education, as well as Executive Director of the Postsecondary Education Commission of Maine. In 1977, he was appointed to the position of Director of the Finance Division for the State Department of Educational and Cultural Services. In 1979, Wayne was appointed as President of Southern Maine Vocational Technical Institute. He served in that position for over 20 years, helping to guide the school as it evolved into the Southern Maine Technical College and then the Southern Maine Community College.
Throughout his life, Wayne was an avid volunteer, serving countless charitable and civic organizations. He is a past president of the Maine Higher Education Council and past Chairman of the Board of Higher Education Facilities Services, Inc. He has directed and served on accrediting teams for various Boards of Higher Education and nationally recognized accrediting agencies. He has served as a consultant to the United States Office of Education and numerous institutions of higher education. Wayne was appointed to the Governor's Committee to Improve Medical Manpower and Education, and served on task forces of the New England Governor's Conference. In 1989, Governor John McKernan appointed him to serve on the Greater Portland Public Development Commission and, in 1990, on the Board for the Maine Council on Vocational Education. He also served for a brief period as Acting Associate Commissioner for the Bureau of Vocational Education.
Additionally, Wayne has served as a board member, vice president, and president of the South Portland Chamber of Commerce, a member of the Board of Corporators of the Maine Medical Center Foundation, a member of the Board of Trustees of the Portland Symphony Orchestra, participant in the Institute for Civic Leadership for the UNUM Foundation, Vice President of the Salvation Army Advisory Board, member of Phi Gamma Delta fraternity, Board of Directors of the Spring Point Museum, Presidential Ambassador for Phi Theta Kappa, President of the Augusta Regional Church Housing Corporation, Vice Chairman of the Citizens' Scholarship Foundation Board of Maine, President of the Southern Kennebec Valley Community Action Program, member and officer of the Augusta Area Jaycees, member of the Augusta Kiwanis Club, Board of Directors of the Cumberland County Training Center, Executive Committee of the Maine Publicity Bureau, and Chairman of the Certified Industries Advisory Board for the Maine Department of Corrections. Most recently, Wayne has served as a member of the Willard Beach Neighborhood Association, a member and deacon of the First Congregational Church in South Portland, Executive Committee member and past President of the Maine Association of Retirees, and Trustee of the Portland Water District.
Prior to his work in the field of education, Wayne was employed in the finance operations for Ross Construction Company in Augusta. He served for 6 years in the U.S. Army, both active duty and Reserves.
In addition to his parents, Wayne was predeceased by an infant sister, Cleo; his brother Richard L. Ross; and his nephew and Godson Bradford Wayne Ross.
He is survived by his wife, Betsy Ross, of South Portland; his daughter, Anne Ross-Murray of South Portland, his son, Steven Wayne Ross of South Portland; a sister, Marie Ross and husband Stan of Old Orchard Beach, a sister-in-law, May Ross Coffin of Augusta; granddaughters Kelsey Anne Murray of Arlington, Va., and Emily Avesia Murray of Somerville, Mass., grandson Mitchell Steven Ross of Westbrook; aunt Grace Ross-Campbell of Readfield; and several cousins, nieces, and nephews.
In his later years, Wayne was able to travel extensively with his wife, and he greatly enjoyed spending time with family and friends. He was quite the storyteller and had a wonderful sense of humor. He will be dearly missed, and those who knew him best will undoubtedly share "Wayne" stories with love and laughter for many years to come.
Visiting hours will be held on Friday, Nov. 25, from 4 to 7 p.m. at
Hobbs Funeral Home
, 230 Cottage Road, South Portland, Maine, 04106. A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 26, at First Congregational Church, 231 Cottage Road, South Portland, Maine, 04106. A reception will be held at 2 p.m. at the McKernan Center, 2 Fort Road, South Portland, Maine, 04106.
**Waynes grandfather Thaddeus and my moms grandmother Daisy were brother and sister ~
SOUTH PORTLAND - Wayne Harry Ross, 80, President Emeritus of Southern Maine Community College, died peacefully in the presence of his family on Nov. 14, 2016.
He was born in Monticello, Maine on July 3, 1936, to Leland Arnold and Evelyn Louise Mutch Ross. At the age of 10 he moved with his family to Augusta and graduated from Cony High School. He continued his education at the University of Maine in Orono, earning a Bachelor's Degree in Business and Economics, as well as a Master's Degree in Public Administration. On June 28, 1959, Wayne married the woman who would become his wife of 57 years, Elizabeth Anne Croxford.
Wayne spent many years as an educational administrator with a broad range of experience in planning and development. From 1968 to 1970, he served as Executive Director for the Maine Higher Education Facilities Commission, and from 1970 to 1977 he was Director of the Division of Higher Education for the Maine Department of Education, as well as Executive Director of the Postsecondary Education Commission of Maine. In 1977, he was appointed to the position of Director of the Finance Division for the State Department of Educational and Cultural Services. In 1979, Wayne was appointed as President of Southern Maine Vocational Technical Institute. He served in that position for over 20 years, helping to guide the school as it evolved into the Southern Maine Technical College and then the Southern Maine Community College.
Throughout his life, Wayne was an avid volunteer, serving countless charitable and civic organizations. He is a past president of the Maine Higher Education Council and past Chairman of the Board of Higher Education Facilities Services, Inc. He has directed and served on accrediting teams for various Boards of Higher Education and nationally recognized accrediting agencies. He has served as a consultant to the United States Office of Education and numerous institutions of higher education. Wayne was appointed to the Governor's Committee to Improve Medical Manpower and Education, and served on task forces of the New England Governor's Conference. In 1989, Governor John McKernan appointed him to serve on the Greater Portland Public Development Commission and, in 1990, on the Board for the Maine Council on Vocational Education. He also served for a brief period as Acting Associate Commissioner for the Bureau of Vocational Education.
Additionally, Wayne has served as a board member, vice president, and president of the South Portland Chamber of Commerce, a member of the Board of Corporators of the Maine Medical Center Foundation, a member of the Board of Trustees of the Portland Symphony Orchestra, participant in the Institute for Civic Leadership for the UNUM Foundation, Vice President of the Salvation Army Advisory Board, member of Phi Gamma Delta fraternity, Board of Directors of the Spring Point Museum, Presidential Ambassador for Phi Theta Kappa, President of the Augusta Regional Church Housing Corporation, Vice Chairman of the Citizens' Scholarship Foundation Board of Maine, President of the Southern Kennebec Valley Community Action Program, member and officer of the Augusta Area Jaycees, member of the Augusta Kiwanis Club, Board of Directors of the Cumberland County Training Center, Executive Committee of the Maine Publicity Bureau, and Chairman of the Certified Industries Advisory Board for the Maine Department of Corrections. Most recently, Wayne has served as a member of the Willard Beach Neighborhood Association, a member and deacon of the First Congregational Church in South Portland, Executive Committee member and past President of the Maine Association of Retirees, and Trustee of the Portland Water District.
Prior to his work in the field of education, Wayne was employed in the finance operations for Ross Construction Company in Augusta. He served for 6 years in the U.S. Army, both active duty and Reserves.
In addition to his parents, Wayne was predeceased by an infant sister, Cleo; his brother Richard L. Ross; and his nephew and Godson Bradford Wayne Ross.
He is survived by his wife, Betsy Ross, of South Portland; his daughter, Anne Ross-Murray of South Portland, his son, Steven Wayne Ross of South Portland; a sister, Marie Ross and husband Stan of Old Orchard Beach, a sister-in-law, May Ross Coffin of Augusta; granddaughters Kelsey Anne Murray of Arlington, Va., and Emily Avesia Murray of Somerville, Mass., grandson Mitchell Steven Ross of Westbrook; aunt Grace Ross-Campbell of Readfield; and several cousins, nieces, and nephews.
In his later years, Wayne was able to travel extensively with his wife, and he greatly enjoyed spending time with family and friends. He was quite the storyteller and had a wonderful sense of humor. He will be dearly missed, and those who knew him best will undoubtedly share "Wayne" stories with love and laughter for many years to come.
Visiting hours will be held on Friday, Nov. 25, from 4 to 7 p.m. at
Hobbs Funeral Home
, 230 Cottage Road, South Portland, Maine, 04106. A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 26, at First Congregational Church, 231 Cottage Road, South Portland, Maine, 04106. A reception will be held at 2 p.m. at the McKernan Center, 2 Fort Road, South Portland, Maine, 04106.
**Waynes grandfather Thaddeus and my moms grandmother Daisy were brother and sister ~
*****UNITED STATES ARMY VETERAN*****
SOUTH PORTLAND - Wayne Harry Ross, 80, President Emeritus of Southern Maine Community College, died peacefully in the presence of his family on Nov. 14, 2016.
He was born in Monticello, Maine on July 3, 1936, to Leland Arnold and Evelyn Louise Mutch Ross. At the age of 10 he moved with his family to Augusta and graduated from Cony High School. He continued his education at the University of Maine in Orono, earning a Bachelor's Degree in Business and Economics, as well as a Master's Degree in Public Administration. On June 28, 1959, Wayne married the woman who would become his wife of 57 years, Elizabeth Anne Croxford.
Wayne spent many years as an educational administrator with a broad range of experience in planning and development. From 1968 to 1970, he served as Executive Director for the Maine Higher Education Facilities Commission, and from 1970 to 1977 he was Director of the Division of Higher Education for the Maine Department of Education, as well as Executive Director of the Postsecondary Education Commission of Maine. In 1977, he was appointed to the position of Director of the Finance Division for the State Department of Educational and Cultural Services. In 1979, Wayne was appointed as President of Southern Maine Vocational Technical Institute. He served in that position for over 20 years, helping to guide the school as it evolved into the Southern Maine Technical College and then the Southern Maine Community College.
Throughout his life, Wayne was an avid volunteer, serving countless charitable and civic organizations. He is a past president of the Maine Higher Education Council and past Chairman of the Board of Higher Education Facilities Services, Inc. He has directed and served on accrediting teams for various Boards of Higher Education and nationally recognized accrediting agencies. He has served as a consultant to the United States Office of Education and numerous institutions of higher education. Wayne was appointed to the Governor's Committee to Improve Medical Manpower and Education, and served on task forces of the New England Governor's Conference. In 1989, Governor John McKernan appointed him to serve on the Greater Portland Public Development Commission and, in 1990, on the Board for the Maine Council on Vocational Education. He also served for a brief period as Acting Associate Commissioner for the Bureau of Vocational Education.
Additionally, Wayne has served as a board member, vice president, and president of the South Portland Chamber of Commerce, a member of the Board of Corporators of the Maine Medical Center Foundation, a member of the Board of Trustees of the Portland Symphony Orchestra, participant in the Institute for Civic Leadership for the UNUM Foundation, Vice President of the Salvation Army Advisory Board, member of Phi Gamma Delta fraternity, Board of Directors of the Spring Point Museum, Presidential Ambassador for Phi Theta Kappa, President of the Augusta Regional Church Housing Corporation, Vice Chairman of the Citizens' Scholarship Foundation Board of Maine, President of the Southern Kennebec Valley Community Action Program, member and officer of the Augusta Area Jaycees, member of the Augusta Kiwanis Club, Board of Directors of the Cumberland County Training Center, Executive Committee of the Maine Publicity Bureau, and Chairman of the Certified Industries Advisory Board for the Maine Department of Corrections. Most recently, Wayne has served as a member of the Willard Beach Neighborhood Association, a member and deacon of the First Congregational Church in South Portland, Executive Committee member and past President of the Maine Association of Retirees, and Trustee of the Portland Water District.
Prior to his work in the field of education, Wayne was employed in the finance operations for Ross Construction Company in Augusta. He served for 6 years in the U.S. Army, both active duty and Reserves.
In addition to his parents, Wayne was predeceased by an infant sister, Cleo; his brother Richard L. Ross; and his nephew and Godson Bradford Wayne Ross.
He is survived by his wife, Betsy Ross, of South Portland; his daughter, Anne Ross-Murray of South Portland, his son, Steven Wayne Ross of South Portland; a sister, Marie Ross and husband Stan of Old Orchard Beach, a sister-in-law, May Ross Coffin of Augusta; granddaughters Kelsey Anne Murray of Arlington, Va., and Emily Avesia Murray of Somerville, Mass., grandson Mitchell Steven Ross of Westbrook; aunt Grace Ross-Campbell of Readfield; and several cousins, nieces, and nephews.
In his later years, Wayne was able to travel extensively with his wife, and he greatly enjoyed spending time with family and friends. He was quite the storyteller and had a wonderful sense of humor. He will be dearly missed, and those who knew him best will undoubtedly share "Wayne" stories with love and laughter for many years to come.
Visiting hours will be held on Friday, Nov. 25, from 4 to 7 p.m. at
Hobbs Funeral Home
, 230 Cottage Road, South Portland, Maine, 04106. A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 26, at First Congregational Church, 231 Cottage Road, South Portland, Maine, 04106. A reception will be held at 2 p.m. at the McKernan Center, 2 Fort Road, South Portland, Maine, 04106.
**Waynes grandfather Thaddeus and my moms grandmother Daisy were brother and sister ~
SOUTH PORTLAND - Wayne Harry Ross, 80, President Emeritus of Southern Maine Community College, died peacefully in the presence of his family on Nov. 14, 2016.
He was born in Monticello, Maine on July 3, 1936, to Leland Arnold and Evelyn Louise Mutch Ross. At the age of 10 he moved with his family to Augusta and graduated from Cony High School. He continued his education at the University of Maine in Orono, earning a Bachelor's Degree in Business and Economics, as well as a Master's Degree in Public Administration. On June 28, 1959, Wayne married the woman who would become his wife of 57 years, Elizabeth Anne Croxford.
Wayne spent many years as an educational administrator with a broad range of experience in planning and development. From 1968 to 1970, he served as Executive Director for the Maine Higher Education Facilities Commission, and from 1970 to 1977 he was Director of the Division of Higher Education for the Maine Department of Education, as well as Executive Director of the Postsecondary Education Commission of Maine. In 1977, he was appointed to the position of Director of the Finance Division for the State Department of Educational and Cultural Services. In 1979, Wayne was appointed as President of Southern Maine Vocational Technical Institute. He served in that position for over 20 years, helping to guide the school as it evolved into the Southern Maine Technical College and then the Southern Maine Community College.
Throughout his life, Wayne was an avid volunteer, serving countless charitable and civic organizations. He is a past president of the Maine Higher Education Council and past Chairman of the Board of Higher Education Facilities Services, Inc. He has directed and served on accrediting teams for various Boards of Higher Education and nationally recognized accrediting agencies. He has served as a consultant to the United States Office of Education and numerous institutions of higher education. Wayne was appointed to the Governor's Committee to Improve Medical Manpower and Education, and served on task forces of the New England Governor's Conference. In 1989, Governor John McKernan appointed him to serve on the Greater Portland Public Development Commission and, in 1990, on the Board for the Maine Council on Vocational Education. He also served for a brief period as Acting Associate Commissioner for the Bureau of Vocational Education.
Additionally, Wayne has served as a board member, vice president, and president of the South Portland Chamber of Commerce, a member of the Board of Corporators of the Maine Medical Center Foundation, a member of the Board of Trustees of the Portland Symphony Orchestra, participant in the Institute for Civic Leadership for the UNUM Foundation, Vice President of the Salvation Army Advisory Board, member of Phi Gamma Delta fraternity, Board of Directors of the Spring Point Museum, Presidential Ambassador for Phi Theta Kappa, President of the Augusta Regional Church Housing Corporation, Vice Chairman of the Citizens' Scholarship Foundation Board of Maine, President of the Southern Kennebec Valley Community Action Program, member and officer of the Augusta Area Jaycees, member of the Augusta Kiwanis Club, Board of Directors of the Cumberland County Training Center, Executive Committee of the Maine Publicity Bureau, and Chairman of the Certified Industries Advisory Board for the Maine Department of Corrections. Most recently, Wayne has served as a member of the Willard Beach Neighborhood Association, a member and deacon of the First Congregational Church in South Portland, Executive Committee member and past President of the Maine Association of Retirees, and Trustee of the Portland Water District.
Prior to his work in the field of education, Wayne was employed in the finance operations for Ross Construction Company in Augusta. He served for 6 years in the U.S. Army, both active duty and Reserves.
In addition to his parents, Wayne was predeceased by an infant sister, Cleo; his brother Richard L. Ross; and his nephew and Godson Bradford Wayne Ross.
He is survived by his wife, Betsy Ross, of South Portland; his daughter, Anne Ross-Murray of South Portland, his son, Steven Wayne Ross of South Portland; a sister, Marie Ross and husband Stan of Old Orchard Beach, a sister-in-law, May Ross Coffin of Augusta; granddaughters Kelsey Anne Murray of Arlington, Va., and Emily Avesia Murray of Somerville, Mass., grandson Mitchell Steven Ross of Westbrook; aunt Grace Ross-Campbell of Readfield; and several cousins, nieces, and nephews.
In his later years, Wayne was able to travel extensively with his wife, and he greatly enjoyed spending time with family and friends. He was quite the storyteller and had a wonderful sense of humor. He will be dearly missed, and those who knew him best will undoubtedly share "Wayne" stories with love and laughter for many years to come.
Visiting hours will be held on Friday, Nov. 25, from 4 to 7 p.m. at
Hobbs Funeral Home
, 230 Cottage Road, South Portland, Maine, 04106. A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 26, at First Congregational Church, 231 Cottage Road, South Portland, Maine, 04106. A reception will be held at 2 p.m. at the McKernan Center, 2 Fort Road, South Portland, Maine, 04106.
**Waynes grandfather Thaddeus and my moms grandmother Daisy were brother and sister ~
