Born on December 9, 1929, in Nutley, Charles was the son of the late Charles A. Gross and Harriett M. (Coeyman) Gross. He grew up in Nutley, then moved to Stillwater in the 1970’s.
A United States Marine Corps veteran, Private 1st Class, Charles proudly served for two years
during the Korean Conflict. He was a paid fireman in the Nutley Fire Department from the 1950’s to the 1970’s, retiring after 25 years of service. Following his retirement, Charles became a volunteer fireman for the Stillwater Area Fire Company from the 1970’s until 2000.
Charles owned a gas station and auto repair shop in Nutley from the 1950’s until the 1970’s, then opened another gas station and auto repair shop in Stillwater from the 1970’s until the 1980’s. He also delivered mail for the United States Postal Service for many years, as well as taught night school at Sussex County Vo-Tech for many years.
Charles served on the Stillwater Township Committee until December of 2019 and was also the Mayor and Deputy Mayor in past years.
Charles was predeceased by his wife of 61 years, Marion E. (Brandler) Gross in 2018 and his sister, Harriet (Gross) Frost and brother-in-law, William of Lincoln Park.
He is survived by his daughter, Susan (Gross) Funari and husband, Joseph, grandson, Jo Jo Funari, granddaughter, Heather Funari and great-grandsons, JJ and Trent Funari, all from Stillwater Township; his nephews, Bill Frost and wife, Laura, Rick Frost of Lincoln Park, and Ron Frost and wife, Anita, of Bloomingdale; sister-in-law, Francis (Brandler) DeWitt and brother-in-law, Chuck, of Clifton; nieces and nephew; and great-nephews and great-nieces; as well as many friends.
Many thanks to Lou Sylvester for the many visits and praying for him; thanks to Walt and Chris Swett for being great neighbors; thanks to Father Abuchi for welcoming Charles into the Catholic Church; and thanks to his fellow firemen that called and helped and checked in on him.
Special thanks to all his caregivers over the past two years: Robin Kleinhans who cared for him and stayed with him until the end (we could never tell you enough how much we appreciated you and all you did for him); Teri Martin, whom he really relied on and always praised you and were always by his side at the end; Theresa Bartell for the overnights and coming to say goodbye; Cathy and Ken Bender (we were all so sad when you moved away) for all the help with both parents - you two went above and beyond.
Also, thanks to Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice for all your help, Meals on Wheels and Smith-McCracken Funeral Home for all the help with both parents – you always make things go smoothly.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, December 10, 2020, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Smith-McCracken Funeral Home, 63 High Street, Newton. Interment will be held at 12:15 p.m. on Friday, December 11, 2020, at Good Shepherd R.C. Cemetery, Airport Road, Green Township.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the NJFMBA Foundation (New Jersey Firefighters’ Mutual Benevolent Association), 1447 Campbell Street, Rahway, NJ 07065.
