Stephen John Ross, Jr.

Proud, Decorated Vietnam Veteran

Naugatuck-Stephen John Ross, Jr., age 69, husband of Terri (Azukas) Ross, passed away on Friday August 9, 2019.  He was the youngest of five children.

Born in Waterbury, CT on September 10, 1949, he was son of the late Stephen John Ross and Natalie (Posick) Ross.  Stephen was a graduate of Naugatuck High School in 1967 and was drafted into the Army.  He became a Sargent and served our country fighting in Vietnam, where he was wounded and received the Purple Heart and three Bronze Stars.

 He was a longtime Naugatuck resident, a master carpenter, and had also bartended in the area.  Steve was a lifetime member of the Eagles Club Aeire 640 and VFW in Naugatuck.  He loved the outdoors, and enjoyed hunting, fishing, boating, camping, and golfing.  He and his wife Terri enjoyed traveling to their cottage in Goshen for vacation, where he eventually passed away.  They were like peas and carrots-you would never see one without the other.

A special thank you to close friends and neighbors Randy and Jennifer Tyrell for their love and assistance, especially during the past few days.

Besides his loving wife Terri, he leaves his children, Karyn (Vincent)Devito, and Nicole (Scott) Lundy; his five grandchildren; his brother Richard Ross (Doris) of Florida; his sister Natalie R. Ross of Naugatuck; and several nieces, nephews, cousins and close friends.  Stephen was predeceased by his brother Thomas Ross, and his sisters, Barbara Ross and Diane Gagnon.

A celebration of his life will be held on Saturday August 17, 2019 from 12-3 p.m. at the Naugatuck Valley Memorial/Fitzgerald-Zembruski Funeral Home, 240 North Main Street, Naugatuck.  Members of the Naugatuck Veterans Council will meet on Saturday at 2 p.m. at the funeral home.  To send an on-line condolence, please visit www.naugatuckvalleymemorial.com.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Stephen’s name may be made to the Veterans Administration Hospital, 950 Campbell Avenue, West Haven, CT 06516.

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