Bruce R. Ross, of Cazenovia, New York, and Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, passed away on April 30th. Bruce was born in Syracuse on March 11, 1941, the son of Henry J. and Caroline R. Ross. He graduated from Nottingham High School and Syracuse University where he earned a degree in Microbiology in 1962. He played on the Syracuse University golf team and was named a Letterman of Distinction in 2004. In 1965, Bruce married Susan Grunert, his wife of 51 years who gave him the gift of life in 1997 with a kidney transplant.
Following graduation, Bruce worked in cancer research at Upstate Medical Center in Syracuse, launching a long career in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries. In 1967, he joined Bristol Laboratories. His work at Bristol-Myers took Bruce and his family from Syracuse to Evansville, Indiana, New York City and Princeton, New Jersey. In 1987, he became President of Bristol-Myers’ U.S. Pharmaceutical Group and subsequently was named President of the Bristol-Myers Squibb Pharmaceutical Group. Bruce also served as a Director of the Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia for 16 years. Following his retirement from Bristol-Myers, Bruce became CEO of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, an organization of the country’s leading comprehensive cancer centers. He subsequently became a member of the Board of Directors of several biotechnology companies including Cytogen, Glycomed, Sugen, and Idec Pharmaceuticals, which became Biogen Idec of Cambridge, Massachusetts. Bruce served as Chairman of the Board of Biogen Idec from 2005-2010. Later, he served on the Board of Hospice Care of the Low Country in South Carolina.
It was through his loving family and dear friends, not his career, that Bruce defined himself. He loved summers with Susan and his three daughters on Cape Cod and, occasionally, shared his onion rings from Liam’s. Bruce never lost his love of 50s music and dancing with Susan and their friends. Bruce dazzled his grandchildren with his magic tricks and his annual July 4th fireworks display. He enjoyed the Monday afternoon sessions with the “Old Boys Bridge” group. Bruce also loved his food and wine. Steaks on the grill, a glass of Kistler and key lime pie, which he kept hidden from his grandchildren and sons-in-law, topped the list of his favorites. Bruce was a lifelong Syracuse Orange basketball fan. Bruce and Susan both enjoyed golf and were members of Winged Foot Golf Club in Mamaroneck, New York; Onondaga Golf and Country Club of Fayetteville, New York; and Sea Pines Country Club of Hilton Head. Bruce was a lover of Golden Retrievers and will be missed by his best friend, Daisy.
Bruce is survived by his wife Susan and three daughters: Sara Knoll (Duffy) of Washington, DC; Kristin Butler (Brian) of Dewitt, NY; and Jennifer Miller (Russ) of Syracuse; along with seven grandchildren: Sophie Knoll, Emma Knoll, Hannah Butler, Chloe Butler, Lily Butler, Caroline Miller and Jack Miller.
A service honoring Bruce was held at St. Andrew by the Sea United Methodist Church in Hilton Head on Wednesday, May 3. Calling hours will be held on Friday, May 12 from 5 pm - 7 pm at the Newell-Fay Manlius Chapel, 8171 Cazenovia Road, Manlius, NY. A celebration of Bruce’s life will be held at a later date in Cazenovia.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Hospice Care of the Lowcountry, 7 Plantation Park Drive, P.O. Box 3827, Bluffton, SC 29910 or Caz Cares, Inc.,101 Nelson Street, Cazenovia, NY 13035.