ANNA MARIA – Community members filled The Center of Anna Maria Island gymnasium on Feb. 22 to celebrate the life of Ross Built Custom Homes founder Greg Ross.
Greg, 59, passed away unexpectedly at his Holmes Beach home in the overnight/early morning hours of Feb. 15 after celebrating Valentine’s Day with wife, Lee. He’s also survived by their twin sons, Jake and Andrew, and the family’s beloved dogs, Buddy and Daisey.
Greg grew up in Holmes Beach in neighboring homes owned by his father, Jim, and his grandfather, Anthony. Greg and Lee later built their own home on a lot Anthony bought in 1966.
Greg’s lifelong friend, Mike Galati, was the first speaker at the celebration of life. He recalled the many adventures he and Greg shared growing up on the Island – from bicycles and canoes as youngsters to fast cars and fast boats as teenagers and adults.
“Greg was the only child, but he had a brother in me. He’ll be missed, remembered and loved forever.”
Lee’s sister, Merrill Romanik, accompanied Lee and Greg when they looked at the small bungalow in Tampa that would become their first home and renovation project.
“Lee and I were over the top in love with this place and we expressed our admiration way too much. We met Greg the businessman that day. When we got back in the car, we got lectured. He paid more for that house than he probably should have but we knew that was the house they needed.”
Greg’s post-college career in pharmaceutical sales brought them from Tampa to Charlotte, North Carolina and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. While living in Portland, Oregon, they decided to move to Holmes Beach.
“Greg wanted his boys to experience this place,” Merrill said. “He started to get out of pharmaceuticals and began buying homes, renovating them and ultimately getting his G.C. (general contractor) license.”
Lakeland resident and Ross Built homeowner Greg Masters said that Greg Ross once braved a vicious storm to search for Masters’ son, who was 20 miles out to sea with his boat engines not working.
“Greg said, ‘I’ll get in my boat and find him.’ That was Greg Ross,” Masters said.
Jake and Andrew
“Greg was a very simple man and only focused his time on a few things: his family, his friends, his business, his health and, most importantly, his dogs,” Jake said.
“I grew up in this gym with Greg as my coach. After college, he was my boss, mentor and teammate on the soccer field. Last season, we ended up winning the championship here and that really meant a lot to him then; and now, a lot to me.
“He was a provider, protector, coach, mentor and friend. I’ll be forever grateful for the man he was. I’m not sure what life will be like without him by my side, but I’m confident he’s prepared me for what’s ahead,” Jake said.
“I’m thankful and grateful for all the time we got to spend together, for everything he taught me,” Andrew said. “He set a great example for the kind of man I want to be. After I graduated college, I had no clue what I wanted to do. So, I came back and started working with him. It was probably the best choice I’ve ever made.”
Andrew noted that Greg grew up playing sports at The Center, coached his sons there and last fall, the three of them competed on the Ross Built adult soccer team.
“He was the second oldest guy out there. We won the championship and you’d have thought he won the World Cup. It meant a lot to him,” Andrew said.
He recalled how Pastor Ed Moss recently told him he and his brother were lucky to have a man like Greg as their father.
“I didn’t think much of it at the time but I’ll remember that forever,” Andrew said.
Lee Ross
Speaking last, Lee said, “The past week has been filled with shock, sadness, fear, heartbreak and more tears than I could have possibly imagined. But because of each of every one of you, I’m turning my sadness and heartbreak into pride and joy and optimism.
“Greg has been making friends and playing sports here for 55 years. He started playing baseball when he was about five and he ended his AMICC sports career just last month winning the ‘World Cup,’ ” she said, noting that Greg came home that night filled with immense pride after winning the soccer championship with his sons.
Lee expressed thanks for the day she, at the last minute, jumped in a car headed for New Orleans and Mardi Gras. Greg was a University of Florida student and Lee was a Santa Fe College student.
“Greg and I bumped into each other at the fountain at Pat O’Brien’s and the rest is history.”
Regarding Greg’s love for dogs, Lee said, “He was an only child, so a dog became more than just a pet to him. Our two dogs, Buddy and Daisey, are about as important to him as me and the boys,” Lee said, noting that Daisey was in attendance.
A few years ago, Greg turned a ski trip to Wyoming to celebrate Lee’s 55th birthday into a road trip so Buddy could see snow.
“I said, ‘No, we are not driving to Wyoming so a dog can see snow.’ After a few minutes, we started shopping for a Sprinter van. This was the start of working our way through ‘Buddy’s list,’ a list that included eating beignets in Louisiana, sleeping in a ghost town in New Mexico, pulling a slot machine arm in Las Vegas and, at the age of 14, jumping into the Pacific Ocean.
“It didn’t occur to me until this week that we weren’t working Buddy’s bucket list at all. It was Greg’s. At the end of the day, Greg and I had a dream life. While there were many moments that felt less dreamy than others, we never held back with our gratitude and immense appreciation for each other.”
business. – Joe Hendricks | Sun
Before they left for their Valentine’s Day dinner, Lee and Greg realized neither had done anything special for the romantic holiday, but they shared this realization: “We love each other. We love our life. Everything’s perfect,” Lee said.
After asking the Ross Built employees to stand, Lee said, “Greg loved you all. We’re so proud of everything you do and we look forward to moving forward together.”
After asking the Ross Built subcontractors to join them, Lee said, “I thank you very much for your contributions and we’ll be at work Monday morning. In my commitment to him, I will continue to move forward, as I know that’s exactly what he would want me to do.”
Additional thoughts
Before the ceremony began, Anna Maria Mayor Mark Short said, “Greg was a wonderful man and a great family man. Greg built our house back in 2015-2016 and it was quality work all around. Greg is a true testament to a professional builder and he’ll be missed by all of us.”
Center Executive Director Chris Culhane said, “Greg was on The Center board for many years and he served as board chair. We lost an incredible human and a huge supporter of The Center. It was too soon and he’s going to be missed.”
Bradenton Beach resident Lyn Clarke was the oldest player to compete in The Center soccer matches last season, and he’s done so since the soccer programs began many years ago.
After the ceremony ended, Clarke said, “What a gentleman Greg was, a brilliant man. I ran into him a couple times on the field, bounced off him and he picked me up.”
When contacted later, Holmes Beach Mayor Judy Titsworth said, “I was so sorry to hear of the passing of Greg Ross. He was a champion of the Island community and a friend to many. I offer my condolences to his family and friends.”
Holmes Beach Commissioner Carol Whitmore said, “Greg was a kind man and loving husband. He loved our Island. Greg loved being part of our community center. He will be missed.”
Sato Real Estate co-owner Jason Sato said, “Greg lived the Island life to the fullest. He raised a family here, started a business here and was an active member of the community center with philanthropy and playing adult sports. He lived the Island dream and the Island will miss him.”
Duncan Real Estate owner Darcie Duncan said, “I have known Greg since we were kids playing sports at The Center. He was always kind and had a smile on his face. To see what he has created in his family and business is truly special. He was a true Islander whose legacy will live on.”
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