Dr. Richard Gross

Dateline: Plymouth

Gross, Dr. Richard Allen, 66, of Plymouth, MA, formerly of Lakeville, MA died on Friday, May 23rd, two years after his diagnosis of glioblastoma. He was the beloved husband of Robin (Kaplan) Gross for 41 years, and devoted father of Samantha and her husband, Adam Zirkin, of New York City; Sarah Gross and her husband, Dr. Kaveer Nandigam of Lititz, PA; Sandra Gross of Weymouth, MA and Seth Gross, SPC in the United Sates Army, stationed in Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington. Cherished grandfather of Aerin, Jacob, and Ronen Zirkin. Loving brother of Cynthia Gross and her husband, Dr. Peter Bitterman, and the late Samuel Gross and his wife, Karen, of Winter Park, FL. Beloved son of the late Joseph and Marion Gross of Winthrop, MA. He is lovingly remembered by his mother-in-law, Lorraine Kaplan, and his sisters-in law and brothers-in-law. He had a special relationship with all his loving nieces and nephews and great nieces and great nephews.

Dr. Gross was born April 8, 1948 in Brookline, MA and raised in Winthrop. He graduated from Winthrop High School in 1966 and went on to receive his Bachelor of Science degree from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY and his M.D. from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio. He completed his internship and residency at Mt. Sinai Hospital in Cleveland, Ohio. He had a solo practice in internal medicine for 34 years in Middleboro, MA. He was on the staff of St. Lukes Hospital of Middleboro until its closure and Morton Hospital of Taunton. He served as chief of medicine at both hospitals. He also served on the staff of Good Samaritan Hospital and Cranberry Specialty Hospital. He was affiliated with several area nursing homes. Dr. Gross was known to be a devoted, caring doctor, well loved by his many patients from all over the South Shore and beyond.

In 2013, Dr. Gross was the recipient of the Massachusetts Medical Society Community Clinician of the Year award from both Bristol North and Plymouth Counties. He also received a citation from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts House of Representatives in recognition of his outstanding dedication, commitment, and service to the community. Dr. Gross was an active member of the Mass Medical Society since 1985 serving in a number of capacities, including president of the Plymouth County District Medical Society from 2003-2004. He also served as president of the Pilgrim Foundation. He was an active member of Tifereth Israel Synagogue in New Bedford, MA.

Dr. Gross had a passion for photography and printed his photos on canvas and gallery wrapped them himself. He displayed his work in area galleries and took great pleasure in giving them to his caregivers and the many volunteers who helped him during his illness. He was an active member of the Whaling City Camera Club and received the photo of the year award in 2012. He moved with his wife to Plymouth, MA in 2013 and also belonged to the Plymouth Digital Photography Group. Dr. Gross enjoyed hiking, mountain climbing, gardening, travel and scuba diving.

Services will be held at Tifereth Israel Synagogue, 145 Brownell Ave., New Bedford, MA on Monday, May 26 at 11 a.m. Interment will be at the Hebrew Cemetery in Fall River, MA. Following the interment, everyone is invited to return to Tifereth Israel Synagogue for a meal of condolence. Shiva will be held at Dr. Gross’s late residence at 8 Red Canoe, Plymouth, MA on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, May 27 through 29, from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. and Friday, May 30th, 2-4 pm. Shiva minyan will be held Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday at 7:00 p.m., also at Dr. Gross’s late residence.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Dr. Gross’s memory may be made to the “Dr. Richard Gross Scholarship Fund” administered through Eastern Bank. Donations can be sent to Eastern Bank, 157 Campanelli Drive, Middleboro, MA 02346 (508-946-3065) or any Eastern Bank branch. This scholarship will be awarded annually to a Middleboro High student who intends to enter the health care profession. The Gross Family will present this scholarship at an annual breakfast award ceremony and we hope the community will join us in this annual event to honor and remember Dr. Richard Gross, the contributions he made and the values he exemplified.