"I?m so happy I was able to talk to Pat at Ryan?s wedding. He had the courage to come up to me during rehearsal dinner and I was enjoying our conversation deeply. His ability to be a good listener and also engage with compassion truly says a lot about him and how he?s raised a beautiful family. Seemed like he was at peace with his condition and will be in a better place we call heaven. Keep in touch and may his memories be full of happiness and good spirit. "
In loving memory of
Kenneth Patterson "Pat" Ross II
December 25, 1959 - July 13, 2018
Kenneth Patterson "Pat" Ross passed away on July 13, 2018. Born in Norwalk, Connecticut on Christmas Day in 1959, Pat was raised in Woodland Hills, CA and Clearwater, FL.
In 1981, Pat graduated Summa Cum Laude from Florida State University, and soon thereafter he joined the import department at the Walgreens Corporation outside of Chicago, IL. Pat turned down a coveted slot at the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University in 1989 and moved his young family to Hong Kong. Pat became Managing Director of the Asian division of Atico International Ltd., the company his father, Ken Ross, co- founded many years before.
In Hong Kong, Pat was a member of The American Chamber of Commerce, The Hong Kong Chamber of Commerce, Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club, The American Club and YPO, and the leadership organization of young chief executives around the world. Pat and his family relocated back to the United States in late 1997. They settled in Fort Lauderdale, where he began investing in real estate. Pat was a member of All Saints Episcopal Church, Lauderdale Yacht Club and Lago Mar. He was also a FSU President's Club member, a Phi Delta Theta alumnus, member of the Seminole Boosters and a proud Seminole 40 yard line ticket holder since the early 1980s.
An avid boater, Pat served on the Board of Governors at the Lauderdale Yacht Club. He was an active member of the sailing program where he co-chaired the Annual LYC New Year's Hangover Regatta for many years. Pat also enjoyed traveling the country to hunt fowl with his two sons. Known for his quick wit and boisterous personality, Pat had many friends and lots of great stories. He was a " clever wordsmith" and was at his happiest sitting outside by the water with the NY Times crossword in the morning. He will be profoundly missed by everyone who knew him.
Pre-deceased by his parents, Ken and Charlotte Ross, Pat is survived by his wife of 35 years, Kerry Higgins Ross, sister Pamela (Bob) Ross Powell of Manhattan Beach, CA, daughter Mackenzie (Christopher) Spencer of Charlotte, NC, his sons Sean Ross of St. Petersburg , William Ross and his beloved granddaughter, Violet Spencer.
A Memorial Service for Pat will be held on Tuesday July 17 at 6pm at All Saints Episcopal Church, 333 Tarpon Dr. Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Florida Wildlife Federation, PO Box 6870, Tallahassee, FL 32314.