Charles (Butch) E. Gross

Butch was born on August 11, 1946 as the only child of the late Walter C. Gross Jr, and Mary Beacker Gross in Coudersport, Pennsylvania.

He passed away after an intense battle with a short illness on July 7, 2024 in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. Butch spent most of his life in Galeton, PA graduating from Galeton High School in 1964. After graduation he moved to Fort Wayne, Indiana where he attended the Indiana Institute of Technology and Rochester, New York where he completed his college degree at RIT and worked for several years at Bausch and Lomb.

During that time, he met and married his wife, Ann McCoy (who preceded him in death on November 18, 2023) and they started their family. After returning to Galeton in 1971, Butch began a long career in the construction industry, which saw him work, start and manage his own firm, C.E. Gross General Contracting, for over 15 years.

Butch loved all things related to farming, which he learned working on the Beacker farm during the summers throughout school. He spoke fondly of those summers and of his beloved Grandma Beacker. This period in his life instilled his love of hard work, dedication and being early to rise which helped him throughout his life as evidenced by the fact that he continued to work long after “retirement”. Butch also loved horses and maintained several at his home even when his riding days were behind him.

He was a dedicated husband who provided care to his wife throughout her lengthy battle with Multiple Sclerosis. He was a proud father and an even prouder grandfather. Butch was a willful and determined person, and he will have a lasting impact on his friends and family who will miss him greatly, particularly for the color that he added to their lives.

Butch is survived by his son, Michael Shon and his wife, Carol Gross, (Burlington, NJ); daughter, Amy and her husband, Brandon Mahon (Galeton, PA); grandchildren, Talas Mahon, Deanna Gross, Jordyn Gross, Kyle Gross and Alexander Gross; a sister-in-law, Mrs. Maja McCoy (Delmar, NY); and five nieces and nephews.

A gathering of family and friends will be held on Thursday, July 11th at the Hess Funeral Home, 14 West St, Galeton, PA 16922, from 10:00-11:00 am. The funeral services will follow at 11:00 am with the Rev. Tom Shatto officiating.

Memorial contributions may be made to the animal shelter or sanctuary of the donor’s choice.