John H. Ross

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. – John H. Ross, 91, of Great Kills, a successful businessman and a devoted husband, father and church volunteer, died Thursday in Staten Island University Hospital, Prince’s Bay.

Born in Brooklyn, Mr. Ross was brought to Annadale when he was five weeks old. He moved to Great Kills when he married the former Helen P. Lewis, in 1956.

A certified public accountant, Mr. Ross was a graduate of Tottenville High School and earned his bachelor of science degree in accounting from New York University, Manhattan. He was a partner with the accounting firm of McGrath, Doyle and Phair, Manhattan, for about 40 years, retiring in 1992.

“He was a gentle, gentle man – very devoted to his wife and children,’’ said his daughter-in-law, Karen Ayoub. "He was a very generous man, as well," she added, noting that he always donated to charities for children and animals.

A member of Christ Lutheran Church, Great Kills, Mr. Ross was an usher there, managed the church’s Cornish Fund for many years, and was a member of its Pairs and Spares Club. He was also a member of the Leisure Time Center at Messiah Lutheran Church, Annadale, and was a Boy Scout leader in his younger years. He enjoyed cooking and gardening.

Mr. Ross served in the U.S. Army in Hawaii and Japan during World War II.

Surviving, in addition to his wife, are a son, Robert G. Ross, and a sister, Helen Fink.

The funeral will be Monday from the Casey-McCallum Rice South Shore Funeral Home, with a service at 11 a.m. in Christ Lutheran Church, both Great Kills. Private cremation will follow.