John W. Gross, Jr.
Left Formation March 2, 2017
From the 95th BG Memorials Foundation Facebook page:
In deep sadness, the Memorials Foundation and the Heritage Association announce that John Gross of Mechanicsburg, PA, left formation on 2 March 2017 at age 95. John was a 336th pilot. As his obituary reads, John peacefully “entered the kingdom of our Lord at home . . . surrounded by family.” Folded wings.
John, continues his obituary, “was born in a farm house in Emigsville, PA, to Alice (Golden) and John W. Gross, Sr., later relocating to Wernersville, PA, where he attended High School. In 1942, while attending Muhlenberg College, he enlisted to join the fight in Europe. After completing officers training, he became a B-17 pilot and served in the 95th Bombardment Group. He successfully completed 35 missions before returning home to his pre-war sweetheart, Arlene M. Lamm. They wed in 1948.
“In 1950, after relocating to Harrisburg, PA, John and his father began distributing Maxwell House coffee from their Harrisburg apartment. Sixty-seven years later, John Gross & Co. of Mechanicsburg remains a locally-owned, 4th-generation family business, providing foodservice products to restaurants and institutions throughout the mid-state. John remained active in the business until the time of his death as a “29-year-old man with 66 years of experience.” John's life was the business and his family was the business.
“Arlene proceeded him in death in 2014. They are survived by their two daughters and a son, Kaye and Dean Sensenig of Sinking Spring, Diane and Jim LaRocca of Mechanicsburg, and Brian and Edie Gross of Orrstown; 11 grandchildren; and 8 great grandchildren.
“John was an active member of Grace Lutheran Church of Camp Hill, a member of the Zembo Shrine and West Shore Country Club, where he had enjoyed his golf.
“Visitation is planned for Friday, March 10th, from 5:00 - 8:00 pm at Christ Community Church, 1201 Slate Hill Road, Camp Hill. A celebration of life will be held Saturday, March 11th, at 11 o'clock at Grace Lutheran Church, 1610 Carlisle Road, Camp Hill. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be directed to the Grace Lutheran Church Kitchen Remodeling Fund.
John, with his “Easy Going” crew--so named because of their missions aboard the 336th’s 338584 A of the same name, is the subject of a moving documentary by Mark Werkema and Jim Koehn. Entitled “On the Wings of a Mighty Fortress,” the film debuted in 2013 in the US and at the Red Feather Club in Horham, but is apparently unavailable commercially. John will live on through both this movie and the countless memories of his family and many friends.