Auburn – Richard L. Ross Sr., 62, of Burgess Hill Road in Rumford, passed away peacefully early Saturday morning, April 11, at the Hospice House in Auburn.

Richard courageously battled various cancers for over 20 years and finally lost to his last bout with metastatic cancer.

He was born in Rumford on Oct. 28, 1946, a son of Henry F. and Gladys J. (Tribou) Ross.

Richard was educated in Rumford schools and was a graduate of Stephens High School.

He served in the U.S. Navy aboard the U.S.S. America aircraft carrier.

Richard was employed for many years at Boise Cascade Paper Mill, now NewPage Corp.

He served part time with the Rumford Police Department and the Oxford County Sheriff’s Department, while holding a full time position at the mill.

Richard enjoyed many hobbies and one of his favorites was photographing wildlife and sports. He was an avid NASCAR race fan, an avid Red Sox fan, a hunter and a fisherman. He would never turn down a stray animal in need.

He was very proud of his children who survive him, his son, Richard L. Ross II, of Rumford and a daughter, Rebecca L. Johnson and husband, Darrell, of Ossipee, N.H.; a stepdaughter, Jennifer R. Duguay of Mexico; a companion, Cora “Joanie” Vogt of Mexico; his best friend, his dog, BO; two brothers, Thomas Ross of Starks and John Ross of Rumford; two sisters, Retha Sinclair and husband, Gary, of Merrimack, N.H., and Alicia Yahn and husband, Ed, of Rumford; three grandchildren, Nickolas Johnson, Kalee Johnson and Jacob Johnson; and many nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his parents. The family would like to offer a heartfelt thanks to the wonderful staff at Androscoggin Home Care and Hospice, especially to Mary Beth Curran for her one on one attention to Richard.