Ross Milton Rath Jr.

Ross M. Rath Jr., 77, of The Villages, FL, passed away peacefully on October 16, 2017 at Cornerstone Hospice in The Villages due to complications from Alzheimer's. He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Janet Hillier Rath. Ross was born in Philadelphia, PA, to the late Ross M. Rath, Sr. and the late Mary Anne DeGarcia Rath. He graduated from Williamson Trade School (now the Williamson College of the Trades) in Media, PA, as a machinist, and then served in the U.S. Navy, aboard the USS Forrestal. Ross worked for the Philadelphia Electric Company (PECO) for 30 years, retiring in 1990. Ross and Janet then moved from Lancaster County, PA, to Somers Point, NJ, where they lived for 15 years before settling in The Villages, FL. Surviving are daughters Carol (Stephen) Gosser of Huntingdon Valley, PA, Jennifer (Brad) Semle of Uxbridge, MA, and Linda Weik, of Mount Joy, PA. Also surviving are grandchildren Kate and Caroline Gosser, Kyle and Ryan Semle, and Chase Weik, as well as sister Karen (William) Klumpp, sister-in-law Diane Rath, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his brother, Thomas DeGarcia Rath. A Mason for more than 50 years, Ross earned his 32nd Degree and was a member of W.K. Bray Lodge #410 of Hatboro, PA. He was also a member of the American Legion Post #347 in Lady Lake, FL. A die-hard Penn State fan, Ross also loved woodworking, hunting and salt water fishing. A Memorial Service will be held at 9:45 a.m. on Saturday, December 2, 2017 at North Lake Presbyterian Church, 975 Rolling Acres Road, Lady Lake FL. Memorial donations in memory of Ross may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, Marion Therapeutic Riding Association C/O Ralph Flood (1419 Hollyberry Place, The Villages FL 32162) or Cornerstone Hospice (601 Casa Bella, The Villages FL 32162).