April 3, 1966 – Oct. 10, 2015
By
Andrew Scott Ross, 49, passed away peacefully Oct. 10 after a 14-month illness from AML (Acute Myelogenous Leukemia). He was in the kind and capable hands of the many hardworking caregivers at the Huntsman Cancer Institute in Salt Lake City, Ut.
Andy was born in Damariscotta on April 3, 1966 to Murdock (Jack) and Jane Ross. Andy has one sister, Elizabeth (Liz). He graduated from Lincoln Academy in Newcastle in 1984, and from American University in 1988 with a BA in Economics and International Studies, having spent his junior year in Jamaica.
Always gregarious and full of good cheer – even in times of doubt, Andy made fast friends wherever he went. He was a bright and kind soul and always ready to laugh, laugh with, and be laughed at. He loved his work and his many friends and colleagues at Mark Miller Toyota in Salt Lake. He had a great time there while building a loyal customer base and providing genuine customer service.
Andy’s best and closest friend was his beloved wife, Susan, with whom he shared his life for nearly 25 years. Andy loved a great meal and few places were better to be than their kitchen or out at their grill when you were hungry. He had a photographic food memory and could tell you what he had for dessert on a Tuesday three years ago.
He loved golf, fishing, hiking, rock hounding, camping, mountains, and the desert. He was a real polar bear and there was no river so cold that he could not be counted on to jump into. They shared many glorious adventures in their years together in Key West, Idaho, and Utah, building a lifetime of amazing memories.
During times of relief from his illness, he and Susie made the most of their time – picnics, fishing, and the good times of summer.
Andy was predeceased by his brother-in-law, Joe Bagley (Kay) of Houston, Tex.
He is survived by his wife, Susan; mother, Jane Ross of Arlington, Va.; father, Jack Ross and stepmother Jean of Tucson, Ariz.; sister, Liz and husband Dusty Wyman; nieces, Ella, Sadie and Margo whom Andy adored; mother-in-law, Sara Brown; sister-in-law, Cathy Robertson; brother-in-law, D.L. Brown; sister-in-law, Ann Brisk, all of Salt Lake; brother-in-law, Kelly Brown of Boulder, Col.; and aunts, Susan Rose of Damariscotta and Mary Bailey of Nobleboro.
A memorial service to celebrate Andy and his love of life was held at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Salt Lake City on Nov. 8. The service was followed by a fellowship gathering at the church where family, colleagues, and friends were invited to laugh, love, (eat!) and celebrate as Andy would have wanted.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Lymphoma and Leukemia Foundation or the Huntsman Cancer Institute.