Obituary
Its with deep sorrow we announce the death of Bernard Rodney Gross, Jr. who passed away November 4, 2020 at the age of 61. Rodney was born in Arlington Hospital and grew up in Vienna, VA. He started his own successful Heating and Air-conditioning business. Rodney was an avid sports fan and a loyal Redskins fan. He loved his family, his son, riding his motorcycle and hanging with his many friends in Northern Virginia. Rodney recently moved to Florida to enjoy the sunshine and warm weather. Left to cherish his memory is his parents, Bernard Rodney Gross Sr. and Virginia Mae Gross; siblings, Tracy Rumohr (Colonial Beach, VA) and Jeffrey Gross (Richmond, VA); wife, Elizabeth Gross (Fairfax, VA); son, Russell Gross(Fairfax, VA); sister in law, Allison Gross; niece, Brittany Gross and nephew, Corey Gross (All from Richmond, VA). He will be greatly missed by all. A celebration of life will be announced at a later date in Northern Virginia. God Speed Rodney. We love you always.
“May the flowers always line your path
and sunshine lift your day.
May songbirds serenade you every
step along the way.
May a rainbow run beside you in a
sky that always blue.
And may happiness fill your heart
each day your whole life through.”
Irish Blessing
Rod was a great friend to me growing up and I will always remember him well. In my young adolescent years, Rod was a great competitor and would challenge me in many ways. Because of his encouraging and challenging ways, I became a better football player and dirt bike rider. I have so many wonderful memories of the fun we had riding dirt bikes down the rail-road tracks thru Vienna…sometimes causing a ruckus for the local police department. Those were fun times for sure! Later in life, Rod helped me become a much better water skier and taught me how to slalom. Although I never mastered the ability to start on one ski like he could. (I always had to cheat by starting on two and then kicking one off.)
Rod had a great sense of humor and got a real kick out of teasing people. He often was an instigator in stirring things up when you might least expect it. Rod could always crack me up when he would tease his Mom and Dad by calling them “Bernie and Chickie”, like they were his buddies instead of his parents.
As time marched on, I guess we slowly grew apart (as often happens in life), and I regret not working harder at keeping in touch with Rod because I cared deeply for his well being. Rod was a great friend to me and and I will cherish the memories and friendship I had with him always.
Wishing peace and comfort to the family.
Sincerely, Guy