Once you met Gordon Ross, you didn’t forget him. You couldn’t; it was impossible.
He often seemed to be everywhere, all at once, doing everything, from performing on stage to raising hundreds of thousands of dollars for several nonprofit organizations.
Although originally from Ohio, Ross spent more than 50 years as a Key West resident, often performing on stage, but always raising money for local nonprofits.
After losing several friends during the AIDS epidemic, Ross launched the Gordon Ross and Friends variety show to raise money for what was then AIDS Help, Inc. For more than a decade, all performers donated their time and talents to the show, which became an annual highlight and raised hundreds of thousands of dollars.
For 15 years, he worked tirelessly to raise money for MARC, helping to organize its annual pumpkin patch, ice cream social, Christmas tree sale and the Master Chef’s Classic.
“He was the best at telling stories and had an even better spirit,” the business guild posted following his death. “His sassy personality was unmatched and he will be dearly missed. And remember to keep living your best adventures, because that is what Gordon would have wanted.”
Ross died on May 25 from pneumonia, his best friend, Bobby Nesbitt, reported that day on Facebook, ushering in a flood of memories and heartbreak from an island where everyone seemed to know the name Gordon Ross.
“Besides being one of my best friends, he was such an asset and friend to our community,” Nesbitt wrote. “We will all be mourning the loss of this remarkable beautiful man.”
But Gordon Ross would never have wanted the mourning to surpass the memories, and in honor of his joie de vivre, or joy of living, a celebration of his life and legacy has been planned for Monday, Nov. 10 at 7 p.m. at Williams Hall, 729 Fleming St.
After a short service, those gathered will raise a glass for a toast, tell stories and create even more memories to honor Ross and his contributions to the island community.
