Michael Edward Gross

Michael Edward Gross, 81, of East Haddam, passed away on Friday, January 22, 2022 at Yale New Haven Hospital. Born May 20, 1940 in Valley Stream, NY, he was the son of the late Edward and Agnes (Wolf) Gross. He was a graduate of Saint Agnes Cathedral High School, Rockville Centre, NY (1958), and Hofsta University Hempstead, NY (1962) After College, Michael served in the US Army.  On June 3, 1962, he was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant with the Army Transportation Corps and soon after completed the transportation training which led to being the supply officer for the 524 Light Helicopter Maintenance Company in Hanau, Germany. In August of 1963, he was transferred to be the supply and vehicle maintenance officer at the headquarters of the Seventh Army Transportation Group in Ludwigsburg, Germany.  On April 17, 1964, Michael was promoted to 1st Lieutenant to serve as the acting HQ company commanding officer on a periodic basis.  He attended the US Army Flight School, Fixed-Wing Class for a short period before his honorable discharge on June 30, 1965. Michael was a strong patriot and proud veteran. He married his beloved wife, Elizabeth Jane Coffey, in 1968.  The couple moved to East Haddam, where they made their home.  Michael was a member of the East Haddam Republican Town Committee for over 50 years and he served on the East Haddam Board of Assessment Appeals for 30 years.  Michael was also a former chair person for the East Haddam Historic District Commission.  He retired from Traveler’s Insurance in 1992 after a 23 year career as a manager.  He then went on to work for himself in a home improvement business, finally retiring completely in the early 2000’s.  He will be remembered fondly as a hardworking man who was devoted to his family, country, and community.  He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Elizabeth Gross of East Haddam; son, Matthew Gross and wife, Kanae Haneishi of Valley City, North Dakota; grandchildren, Koji, Niko, and Sora Gross; nieces, Karen Wuebber and Eileen Uberti and nephews, William Brennan and James Brennan; and numerous extended family and friends. A celebration of Michael’s life will be held on Friday, June 10, 2022 at 11 AM with a Mass of Christian Burial directly at St. Bridget of Kildare Church, 75 Leesville Rd, Moodus, CT. Burial will be private in the State Veteran’s Cemetery in Middletown. The Aurora-McCarthy Funeral Home of Colchester has been entrusted with care of arrangements.  For online condolences, please visit www.auroramccarthyfuneralhome.com. Donations in Michael memory may be sent to East Haddam Republican Town Committee, PO Box 317, East Haddam, CT 06423; or VITAS HEALTHCARE, 199 Park Rd Ext., Suite 201, Middlebury, CT 06762; or Yale New Haven Hospital, Office of Development, PO 1849, New Haven, CT 06508.

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