Obituary of Lawrence A. Gross

Reverend Lawrence "Larry" Gross of Lima, NY died Friday, July 4, 2014 at age 73. Father Larry is survived by his brother, Bernard F. (Lynda) McAllister Gross; niece, Carrie Gross Dashno; many cousins, extended family and close friends including Sister Yvonne Nadeau, SSND. Predeceasing him are his parents, Frank A. and Eva Boss Gross; sister-in-law Virginia Cartenuto Gross; and nephew, SFC Virgil V. Gross (US Army). Fr. Gross spent his entire life in and around Rochester. He attended Holy Family School in the Dutchtown area of Rochester and St. Andrew's and St. Bernard's Seminary. He was ordained on June 4, 1966 by Bishop Kearney and his first mass was celebrated at Holy Family Church. His first assignment was the new Holy Name of Jesus Parish in Greece (1966-1971) and chaplain at Bishop Kearney High School (1971-1982). He was assistant pastor at St. Thomas the Apostle Church in Irondequoit (1982-1983) and then served as pastor of Holy Apostles Church in Rochester (1983-1992); Good Shepherd Parish in Henrietta (1992-1994); Guardian Angels Parish, Henrietta (1994); St. Paul of the Cross Parish, Honeoye Falls (1995-2010), and St. Rose Parish, Lima (1999-2010). He retired in June 2010 and served the Parishes of St. Matthew in Livonia and St. Mary in Honeoye. Everywhere he was assigned, he developed close friendships and loyalties with students and parishioners. He started every liturgy with "Have I told you lately that I love you." His parishioners would respond, "We love you too, Father." It was his signature greeting throughout his 48 years as a priest. He was totally committed to serve his communities on many levels as a former member of the Eastridge Kiwanis; Chaplain to Henrietta Fire #1; Chaplain and ambulance driver for Honeoye Falls-Mendon Ambulance as well as Volunteer Fire and Rescue. Currently he was an active member and Chaplain to the Lima Volunteer Fire Dept. and Captain of the Fire Police for Lima Fire Dept. and was also Chaplain for the Livingston County Fire Police Association. He was also a member of the Honeoye Falls Mendon Rotary Club and the Livingston Country Club in Geneseo. In 1999 he was honored Citizen of the Year for Honeoye Falls. Each year following his first bout with cancer in the late 1990's, he was one of the coordinators for the Relay for Life of Honeoye Falls. This years Relay for Life was held in his honor. Father loved golf, gardening, carpentry, and construction, but most of all, he loved being pastor for all the people he met. Father Gross will Lie in State, Wednesday, July 9, 2014 from 3 pm to 7 pm at St. Paul of the Cross Church, 37 Monroe Street, Honeoye Falls followed by Evening Prayer at 7 pm. On Thursday, July 10th, Father will Lie in State from 8:30 am to 10:45 am at St. Matthew Church, 6591 Richmond Mills Road, Livonia. His Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 11 am, The Most Reverend Salvatore Matano, Celebrant. Interment, Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Rochester, NY. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Fr. Gross's honor to the following: The Leo Hospice Center for Caring at St. Ann's Community, 1500 Portland Ave, Rochester, NY 14621; Relay for Life of Honeoye Falls, 1120 S. Goodman Street, Rochester, NY 14620; the Honeoye Falls-Mendon Rotary Club, P.O. Box 415, Honeoye Falls, NY 14472, or the Lima Volunteer Fire Department, P.O. Box 29-A, Lima, NY 14485.