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HomeNewsArchivesRANDOLPH 'RANDY' ROSS OF ST. CROIX HAS DIED

RANDOLPH 'RANDY' ROSS OF ST. CROIX HAS DIED

March 5, 2004 – Randolph Alphonso Ross of St. Croix died on February 27 and was buried in the veterans section of Kingshill Cemetery on March 4.
He was born to Anita Knight and Rupert W. Ross Sr. on January 6, 1939, in Frederiksted, St. Croix. Shortly after his baptism at St. Patrick's Catholic Church, he moved to New York with his mother, and returned to St. Croix at age 9. "Randy" grew up in Frederiksted with his great-grandmother, "Cookie," while spending most of his time with his brothers and sisters at his father's house.
Randy attended St. Patrick's School and later enlisted in the U.S. Army during the Korean War where he was a cook. On his return to St. Croix, he worked at Abramson's Gas Station and later at Merwin's Shipping Company. Randy, thereafter, did what he liked best. He was chief chef at the first chicken-and-ribs restaurant on Strand Street in Frederiksted, where everyone stood in long lines to be served.
Randy then moved on to Coca-Cola Bottling Company where he worked for 26 years, achieving the position of plant manager. During this time he opened the first Coca-Cola facilities on the islands of St. Thomas and St. Maarten.
Among Randy's many contributions as manager of Coca-Cola to the community were scoreboards for the ballparks and donations of sodas to numerous sport leagues, schools, and other nonprofit organizations. Additionally, Randy contributed as a former member of Rotary Club of St. Croix and the St. Croix Chamber of Commerce.
After he retired from the Coca-Cola Company, he joined the V.I. government as property management officer at the Port Authority. He was responsible for land acquisition for the runway extension at the Henry E. Rohlsen Airport. Randy retired in February 2003 due to illness.
Randy was a great sports enthusiast and outstanding athlete. Consequently, he was known, as the "flying juggernaut" because of his power and speed, and "Charlie hustle" type of plays. He played professionally with the Pittsburgh
Pirates, establishing a lasting friendship with Willie Stargell and Alvin McBean. He also played with the Ponce Leones and Mayaguez Indios, in the Puerto Rico Winter Leagues with Alphonso "Piggy" Gerard and Alfred "Freddy" Christopher. among others.
He was a member of the Athletics, Panthers and Vikings baseball teams where he played with professional and other local baseball players like Lloyd "Jughead" O'Bryan, Marty Davis, Norbert "Hut" Rogers, Horace Clarke, Elmo Plaskett, Miguel "Redhead" Santos, James "Sharkie" Dowling, Jose "Shady" Morales, Julio "Jujo" Navarro, Charles Brow, Wesley "Moola" Thomas, Francisco "Risco" Davila, Renholdt "Rookie" Jackson, and Joe Christopher, Alfredo Johnson, and O'Neal Sackey. He also played with the Mohawks and Marlins softball teams.
Jazz, jazz, and more jazz was Randy's delight. He not only had hundreds of albums, but also was thrilled to listen to his own son, Rashawn, who is an accomplished jazz player in New York City.
Randy had a great sense of humor, and his laughter was infectious. He was also very expressive, but never spoke ill of anyone. He was compassionate and thoughtful, always thinking of others more than himself. He was a true big brother who never missed a family gathering. He was always admired for his New York style of dress, and his love of the best "rags."
Throughout his illness, he kept a positive outlook and attitude. Although he took his family to the "edge" many times, he came back stronger and optimistic, keeping up hope. His friends, especially, James "Jimmy" John, Beverly Monsanto, Genevieve Edney, Gladys Miller-Anthony, Debbie Ann Klyvert, and his brother and sister-in-law Rupert and Cheryl, were all pillars of strength for him during his illness.
He is survived by his father, Rupert W. Ross Sr.; stepfather, Jethro "Jeff" Stewart; very special friends, Beverly Monsanto and James John; daughter, Reva Marie Ross; sons, Rudy Ross, Randolph Alphonso Ross, Roan Ross, and Rashawn Ross; sisters, Janice L. Grant, Jewel Ross Brathwaite, Judy Anne Ross; brothers, Rupert W. Ross Jr., Edgar D. Ross, Raymond O. Ross, James L. Ross, Edward P. Ross, great aunt, Reynita Ross; aunt, Ruth Ross Mullgrav; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins; 13 great-nieces and great-nephews; cousins; sisters-in-law, Cheryl S. Ross and Lydia D. Ross; brother-in-law, Brathwaite, and special friends Genevieve Edney, Bernice and Sylvia Cornelius, Agnes DeVlugt, and Debbie-Ann Klyvert.
A message of condolence was extended to the family and friends by Lt. Gov. Vargrave Richards. "Ross was a stalwart of the St. Croix business community, who was generous and sensitive to the needs of the community, especially involving himself in youth-related sports activities," the release said. "The St. Croix community appreciates his selfless contributions."

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