Joel Elmore Ross, 97, passed away peacefully in his home of 45 years, surrounded by family, in Boca Raton, Florida on October 30, 2019. He was born in Clinton, South Carolina in 1922 and soon moved to Prosperity SC, where he spent his formative years. He served in the U.S. Navy in the Pacific during World War II, on duty during the attack on Pearl Harbor. He then continued to serve as a career naval officer, attaining the rank of Commander, while earning a bachelors degree from Yale University—where he met his wife Carol Ann Piscitelli—and a Doctorate in Business Administration from George Washington University. After a full 23-year career in the navy he retired and became a Professor of Management—first at Merrimack College in Andover, Massachusetts, then at Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton. Upon retirement from FAU, Joel was awarded the title “professor emeritus” for distinguished service. He was the author and co-author of several bestselling college textbooks on business management. Later in life, he spent his summers in Cape Cod, MA, with his partner Charlotte and continued to enjoy winters in Boca Raton.
Joel was preceded in death by his wife, Carol Ann Piscitelli in 2008. He is survived by his partner Charlotte Sundberg; son Joel E. Ross III and his partner Ellen Kendrick; son Greg Ross; daughter Beverly Ross and her partner Christine Fortin; daughter Mary Beth Buda and her husband Dennis Buda; daughter Susan Perry and her husband Todd Perry; grandchildren Amy, Emily, Ross, Scott and Trey; and great-grandchildren Lilyana, Michael, Logan and Luca.
Joel will be laid to rest with dignity and honor at Arlington National Cemetery.
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