Obituary of Frank George Gross

Frank G. Gross, 90, passed away January 2, 2021 in Vineland. Born in 1930, Frank came from a patriotic Philadelphia family and, like his father and brother before him, joined the armed forces at age 18. As a young Marine, Frank formed a country music band while touring the Mediterranean aboard the USS Salem. In late 1950 Frank was sent to Korea where he was injured during the Battle of the Chosin Reservoir. While recovering in the Philadelphia Naval Hospital he composed a poem chronicling his Korean War experience. Entitled "The Ballad of the Chosin," he recited it during a 1951 ceremony at Independence Hall and, in later years, it was included in the television documentary "Operation TNT." In 1951 Frank married Angeline Pizzillo. Together they raised a family in the Cramer Hill section of Camden where Frank was known as a part-time entertainer, singing and guitar playing at events and in local taverns. A career Postal Service employee, Frank retired in 1992 to concentrate on his lifelong passions of music and poetry. During the last years of his life, Frank resided at the NJ Veterans Memorial Home in Vineland where he enjoyed performing for his fellow residents. He was also a founding member of the Valley Forge Chapter of the Chosin Few fraternity. He is survived by his daughters, Joyce Fuhrmann, Rosemarie Urban, Kathy Ruckey and Dina Troxell; as well as 12 grandchildren and 19 great grandchildren. Frank was predeceased by his wife Angeline in 1988; his son Frank Jr. in 2013, and a granddaughter, Brittany Marie Lange, in 2016. A private inurnment will be at B.G. William C. Doyle Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Arneytown, NJ. Due to the pandemic, Frank's family will hold a celebration of his life at a later date. ARRANGEMENTS are under the supervision of Rone Funeral Service, 1110 East Chestnut Avenue, Vineland, NJ 08360 To send online condolences please visit our website at www.RONEFUNERALSERVICE.com