M. Ross McLeod

M. Ross McLeod (Uncle Ross) 93 of Groton, VT, died July 1, 2016 after a short period of failing health. He was born January 16, 1923 in Springhill, Nova Scotia, a son of Malcolm and Ethel (Penny) McLeod. Ross grew up with his brothers Kenneth and Fred, in Medford MA., and graduated from Cambridge High and Latin in 1941. Ross met the love of his life Evelyn Pynn at a church youth group meeting and knew as soon as he saw her, she was the girl he was going to marry. World War II intervened and Ross enlisted in the Army Air Corps in May 1942. He was assigned to the 40th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron and proudly served in the China India Burma Theater. Ross had many stories to tell, and one of the family’s favorites was of trading his rationed cigarettes for chocolate each time the Red Cross packages arrived. Also thanks to the Red Cross, Ross was able to meet up with his brother Fred who was in the Navy and the two of them met up in Calcutta, India with a 3-pass to do some sightseeing.

During training at Fort Ethan Allen outside Burlington VT, Ross met Andy Smith of Groton, VT, who would become a lifelong friend. It was during this stint that Ross fell in love with the Green Mountain State and asked Andy to keep an eye out for property that might become available.

Ross was honorably discharged from the Army in 1945, and he finally got to marry the love of his life Evelyn Pynn on August 30, 1946 at Grace United Methodist Church in Cambridge MA. November 1947 their daughter Joyce Victoria was born. Early on they knew Joyce would need special care, and so they selflessly devoted their lives to always putting her needs before their own. Using his G.I. Bill Ross went to night school at Boston University and earned a degree in Marketing. He said his plan was to be a Marketing Executive in New York City, but that didn’t work out, so his first job was in an Boston area appliance store.

In the 1950’s his friend Andy called to let him know there was a house for sale in Topsham Vermont, just a few miles from Andy’s house in Groton. Ross bought this house as a second home and spent as much time as possible there. All his nieces and nephews have very fond memories of the time spent on summer vacations, jumping in hay barns, playing on the rope swings, and climbing the foothills that surrounded the property.

In 1966 Ross moved to Vermont for good, after being hired as Account Executive at St. Johnsbury Trucking where he worked until his retirement in 1985. Ross took an early retirement, so he could spend more with Joyce and Evelyn.

Ross was very active in the Boy Scouts, being a leader for many years. He and the troop built Fort McLeod on Lake Groton that still stands today. Their theme song was “Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head”, because every time they camped out it would rain. Ross was an active member of the Groton United Methodist Church serving as church treasurer for many years, Lay Speaker, and Jr.High Youth Group Leader. He and Evelyn hosted the Easter sunrise service always ready with hot cocoa for those cold, early morning worship services. Ross edited the church newsletter for many years before computers, meticulously using the original cut and paste method with scissors and glue.

Ross was an avid Red Sox fan and never thought he’d see the day when they would win a World Series, but he got to see it happen three times! An avid stamp collector, Ross enjoyed meeting young people who shared his passion, and often gave stamps away to help them grown their collections. He was proud to be a Freemason and was raised a Master Mason on January 16, 1957 at the King Solomon’s Lodge in Somerville, MA and transferred to Polaski Lodge 58 in Wells River, VT on December 2, 1985, where he remained in good standing and received his 55 year pin.

Ross was predeceased by his wife Evelyn in 2009, brother Kenneth McLeod 1983, nephew Brian McLeod 2006, great nephew Jordan Smith 2016.

He is survived by his daughter Joyce McLeod, Danville, VT, brother Fred McLeod, Cumberland Maine, niece Sandy Pike (Buddy), Donald McLeod (Linda), Pamela Smith (Brent) Cathy Dawson (David), and Vickie McLeod. Many great nieces and nephews, and great great nieces and nephews, and cousins throughout the country. The family would like to acknowledge Ellen Edwards and Dawn Pinette, and the Northeast Kingdom Council on Aging who without their assistance we would not have been able to keep him home as he wished.

Memorial donations should be made to the Northeast Kingdom Council on Aging, 481 Summer Street, Suite 101, St. Johnsbury, VT 05819

Funeral Services will be at the Groton United Methodist Church July 15th, 11:00 a.m. followed by interment with military honors at the Groton Village Cemetery.   

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