Paul D. Gross Sr. of Smyrna passed away at home Saturday, August 9, 2008. He was 60.

Mr. Gross was born February 2, 1948 in Wilmington, the son of the late Jacob Gross and Irene Romanowski Gross.

He was a United States Marine Corps veteran and most recently worked as a Millwright for SPI in New Castle (formerly ICI America, Inc.). Prior to his employment with SPI, he worked as a Millwright for Formosa Plastics in Delaware City (formerly Stauffers Chemical) and for Doeskin Papermill in the Wilmington area. During his employment as a Millwright, he enjoyed working weekends for a Polish bakery in Wilmington.

Mr. Gross enjoyed fishing, playing baseball with co-workers, and had a particular interest in playing cards. He also enjoyed dancing with his wife of 42 years, Drucilla.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his two brothers, William Gross and James Gross; and his mother-in-law, Mary Lawrence.

Mr. Gross is survived by his wife, Drucilla Lawrence Gross; two daughters, Mary Elizabeth Ferri and her husband Joseph of Lake Mary, Florida, and Suanne Strickland and her husband Michael of Fair Hill, Maryland; a son, Paul David Gross Jr. of Smyrna; four sisters, Cecelia Bryson and her husband Ronnie of Wilmington, Rose Boulware of Smyrna, Joyce Moyer of New Castle, and Bernadette Milbourne and her husband Frank of Wilmington; two granddaughters, Jennifer Righter and her husband Luke of Newark, and Shannon Ferri of Lake Mary.

Services will be held Friday, August 15 at 11 a.m., in the Faries Funeral Chapel, 29 South Main Street, Smyrna, where friends may call at 10 a.m. Friday and Thursday evening from 7-9 p.m.

Burial will be at the Delaware Veterans Cemetery in Bear, following the services.

Letters of condolence may be sent by visiting www.fariesfuneralhome.com.