Kenneth N. Ross, Jr.

Kenneth N. Ross, Jr., 74, of Mechanicsburg and Gettysburg, died Thursday, April 21, 2022, at UPMC Pinnacle Hospital, Harrisburg.

Ken was born December 4, 1947 in Harrisburg to the late Kenneth N. and Arlene J. Ross. A 1965 graduate of Cedar Cliff High School, he received his AS in Architectural Drafting from HACC; BS from Millersville University; and MBA from York College of Pennsylvania.

Ken served in the Army during the Vietnam War, where he was awarded the Purple Heart. He retired from ITT Inc. where he served as Human Resources Manager, Leadership Development Director, Vice President and Director of Human Resources. He had also held positions at PH Glatfelter Co., Burndy Corp., and Standard Register Co. Ken also taught industrial arts at Harrisburg High School.

During his time residing in Marietta, Ken became involved in historic preservation. He was very proud of his work restoring a home there and his role as developer of the Gothic Lofts, a conversion of a deconsecrated and derelict church into condos.

Ken lived in awe and appreciation of both the beauty wrought by nature and that by human hand. As a result, he loved to travel and was always eager to take the next journey. Ken was thoughtful, but quick witted, and enjoyed making others laugh. He was also an avid sailor, owning numerous boats over many years on the Susquehanna River and Chesapeake Bay, and a past member of the Susquehanna Yacht Club in Wrightsville.

Ken was Past President of Marietta Restoration Associates; Past Councilman, Borough of Marietta; Past Board Member of Preservation Trust of Lancaster County, Hanover Chamber of Commerce, and United Way of York County; and Past President of Manufacturers’ Association of South-Central PA. He was also committed to volunteer work, including supporting the local history collection at the New Cumberland Public Library, working with Junior Achievement of South Central PA, and mentoring boys from the Methodist Home for Children.

Ken was the widower of Donna C. (Chronister) Ross. He is survived by his loving companion and partner in adventure, Kelly A. Alsedek; sister, Nancy R. Jefferies (George) of New Cumberland; daughter, Melissa A. Biesecker (Rick) of Etters; sons, Andrew L. Lucarelli (Pamela) of Derwood, MD and Richard T. Lucarelli (Danielle Lyons) of Dallas, TX; grandchildren, Kaitlyn, Joseph, Caroline, Angelina, and Eleanor; nieces, Tracie and Megan; and nephew, Zac.

Interment services with military honors will be held at 10am Monday, May 16th at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, Hanover Twp.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Land Conservancy of Adams County, https://www.preserveadams.org/ or New Cumberland Public Library Local History Collection, 1 Benjamin Plaza, New Cumberland PA 17070.