Sad news arrived this week that on September 14th that my predecessor and immediate-past GSVCC President & CEO, Charles “Charlie” Mason Ross, died peacefully at home in Greensboro, NC surrounded by family after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease.
Please read on for Charlie’s full obituary: Born April 6, 1948, in Friendsville, MD, Charlie lived in many places but always claimed himself as a proud son of Garrett County. Charlie received his undergraduate degree from Johns Hopkins University, and his JD from the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law. While at JHU, he was a member of Tau Epsilon Phi fraternity, and loved his TEP brothers dearly.
His lengthy law career included positions in political consulting, legal strategy, and serving as president for two chambers of commerce. An intrepid traveler, some of Charlie’s most memorable trips included visits to Spain, Morocco, Egypt, and Israel. He also initiated annual visits with friends and colleagues to the Jamaica Inn in Ocho Rios, Jamaica, where his fondness for rum and flowery shirts took center stage.
Thirty years later, many of those friends and colleagues continue the tradition. Charlie was a voracious reader with a special fondness for any kind of historical works, and always made sure to secure copies of the New York Times, Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, Financial Times, and The Economist. The arts were also of great importance; he loved live music and theater performances and taking in special exhibits at museums, particularly the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
He was incredibly quick-witted, relishing in dishing out groan-worthy puns and enthusiastic stories, drawing on his travels, historical anecdotes, and Brussels sprouts. His gregarious nature allowed him to make friends wherever he went, and he had a special way of making even the most introverted person in the room feel at ease.
Charlie was preceded in death by father Charles, and mother Janice, and sister Donna. He is survived by his beloved wife Cherie, daughter Nicole Brocato, son Ryan Whyms, and daughter-in-law Jenn Whyms.
