Obituary of William J. Gross

Warren: A Mass for William J. Gross, 88, of Warren, will be offered at 10:30 am on Tuesday, January 6, 2004 at Our Lady of the Mount R.C. Church in Warren. Interment will follow at St. Marys Stony Hill Cemetery in Watchung. Arrangements are by Higgins Home for Funerals 752 Mountain Blvd., Watchung. Mr. Gross died Sunday, January 4, 2003 after a brief illness. Born in Philadelphia on June 10, 1915, he was the son of the late William and Irene Gross. He resided in Warren for more than 40 years. Mr. Gross was employed by Johnson & Johnson in New Brunswick for 30 years where he was instrumental in the development of the Band Aid brand adhesive. He retired as vice president of the Permacel division in 1974. That same year he started his own consulting business specializing in pressure sensitive tape. He was a graduate of St. Josephs University in Philadelphia with a bachelors degree in chemistry and also held a MS degree from the University of Illinois. He was awarded an honorary doctorate of commercial sciences by St. Josephs University in April 2003 in recognition of his staunch support of chemistry research programs at the university. After his retirement, Bill enjoyed spending time at the familys summer home in Ocean City, NJ where he was an avid gardener. He will be sadly missed by his family and friends. Surviving are his wife of 61 years, Catherine; three sons William, John and Kenneth, and a daughter, Kathleen Roberts; six grandchildren, Christopher, John, Coreen, Catherine Elizabeth Somers, Nicole and Courtney; and two beloved great-grandchildren, Matthew and Dillon Somers. Memorial contributions can be made to St. Josephs University, Department of Chemistry, Development Office, 5600 City Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19131-1395. Visit www.higginsfuneralhome.com to light a candle of remembrance.