Michael K. Hross Obituary (1948 - 2005)

Oakland Michael K. Hross of Oakland passed away Mon. Aug. 15, 2005. Michael was 56 years young! He was born Sept. 14, 1948, the son of Helen Leonard and Michael H. Hross. He attended St. Vincent Ferrer Grade Schol in New York City and Cardinal Hayes High School in the Bronx. After graduation Michael joined the Marine Corps and served two tours of duty in Vietnam following an honorable discharge in Aug. 1970. He then became a police officer with the NYPD. Michael served in that capacity for nineteen years. In that time he was assigned to plain clothes assignments in robbery, burglary, prostitution, warrant investigation units, theatre district task force, and precinct anti-crime units. He was cited on nine occasions for excellence in police work, 1983 police commissioner's unit citation and 1983 certificate of superior performance of duty. To further his police career, he was a member of the Waterville Police Dept. for two and a half years, and the Oakland Police Dept. over the past eleven years, In Oakland he went out on patrol, served a time as D.A.R.E. officer and as the school resource officer in the junior high. In June of 2000, Michael went back to the military on a full-time basis when he joined the 11th Civil Support Team, WMD, located in the Waterville armory. Michael so loved all the members of this very special unit and credited them for keeping him in such great shape. Among his various commendations, while in the military were: Feb. 1970 Air Medal for Meritorious Achievement for his service in Vietnam; June 2000 Air Force Commendation Medal; Aug. 2005 the Meritorious Service Medal. Michael was a great athlete who loved to run, weight lift, as well as play many sports. On St. Patrick's Day, Mar. 17, 1984 he married his wife, Patricia A. Ryan. Upon retiring from the NYPD, he and his family moved to Maine in June 1990 and settled in Oakland. Michael was predeceased by his parents, one brother, Frank Kalan, and his oldest son, Brian M. Hross. Michael is survived by his loving wife, Patricia; three sons, Ryan, Matthew, and Michael all of Oakland; a brother, Matthew Kalan and his wife Susanne of Goochland, VA; a sister, Brenda Schaeffer of Delray Beach, FL; a sister, Eileen Mari and her husband, John of Westbury, N.Y. Michael also leaves behind several nieces and nephews, as well as many dear friends. Family and friends will gather for visitation from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Wed., Aug. 17th at Gallant Funeral Home, 10 Elm St., Waterville. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Thurs. at Notre Dame Catholic Church, 112 Sivler St., Waterville with Rev. Paul Dumais officiating. Burial will follow the Mass at the new Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Mt. Vernon Road, in Augusta at 12 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations in Michael's name be made to MaineGeneral Medical Ctr., Thayer Unit, Oncology Dept., 149 North St., Waterville, ME 04901. Condolences may be expressed at www.gallantfh.com.