Stanley J Gross

Stanley Gross, of West Roxbury MA, died on October 27, 2023. Stan passed surrounded by loved ones at age 96.

Stan was born in Brooklyn NY on September 25, 1926. He attended PS 89, Brooklyn Tech High School, City College of NY, and Columbia University. His education was interrupted by service in the Navy in WWII (1945-1946) and in the Army for Korea (1950 -1952). He was honorably discharged as a Corporal September 15th 1952. Upon returning to his education, he completed his Doctorate in Education in 1957.

Stan’s career started in teaching at Orange County Community College in Middletown NY. He served as Assistant Dean of Students at Buffalo State University and Dean of Students of Rockford (IL) College before returning to teaching at Indiana State University in Terre Haute, IN. After retirement from ISU in 1988, Stan completed two post-Doc trainings in couples counseling and alcoholism treatment.  In retirement, he pursued private practice in Boston MA, presenting workshops on self-esteem and implicit bias.

Stan was a published author of two books; of Foxes and Hen Houses: Licensing and the Health Professions (1984), and Pathways to Lasting Self Esteem (2004).

He was a devoted member of the Theodore Parker Unitarian Universalist Church in West Roxbury MA where he served for many years on the Finance & other committees.

Stan was an early-adopter runner; enjoyed exercising, meditation, reading, going to the Cape Cod beaches, writing haikus & other short poems. Stan was an avid listener and questioner; he was curious about life and the people around him. He cared deeply about others. He leaned into life and worked hard to enjoy it as long as possible. 

Stan is survived by Julie McVay, his wife of 45 years, his children Betsy Gross, Jennifer Gross, Scott Taylor (Donna), Kara Bell and his grandchildren Zachary Taylor, Ian Taylor, and Benjamin Gross. He is predeceased by his parents Al Gross, Selma (nee Krebs) Gross, and his son David Gross.

Donations in Stan’s memory can be made to Theodore Parker Church (https://www.tparkerchurch.org/giving/) or to the Stanley Gross Scholarship fund at Indiana State University (https://givetoindianastate.org/ select “other” under designation and enter “Dr. Stanley J. Gross Scholarship for Counselor Education”) or to the charity of your choice.

There will be a memorial service on Sunday November 26, at 2:30 pm in the Theodore Parker Church, 1859 Centre St. West Roxbury. Relatives and friends are invited to attend.  Please check tparkercurch.org for details.