Charles Lawrence "Charley" Ross

Charles 'Charley' Lawrence Ross HAMILTON Charles "Charley" Lawrence Ross, 82 of Hamilton, New Jersey, passed away on June 12, 2021, at St. Joseph's at Morris Hall, Lawrenceville, NJ. Surrounded by family, Charley passed on into the caring hands of the Lord, after a life dedicated to service of his community. Born in Easton, PA - where later in life he would earn a Key to the City - Charley attended Easton High School and then Lafayette College where he would go on to earn All American honors playing basketball, became the 13th leading scorer in the nation and top scorer in the M.A.C. during his senior year, and graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Geology. Afterwards, he earned a Master's Degree from Trenton State College (TCNJ). After a successful college career Charley went on to play professionally for the Eastern Basketball League and received offers to play for the New York Knickerbockers and St. Louis (Atlanta) Hawks of the NBA. His basketball career brought him and his family to Trenton, NJ, in 1961 when the Easton-Phillipsburg Madisons moved to Trenton and became the Trenton Colonials. Charley would become the second leading scorer in the EBA and lead his team to the Semi-Finals that year. He described playing for Trenton in front of passionate fans as "It was like playing in the Roman Coliseum." A fitting analogy for the son of a proud Italian-American Immigrant. Towards the end of his professional playing career, Charley went on to become an educator at Hamilton High School West, where he affectionately earned the nicknames "Coach" and "Boss Ross". Charley's professional basketball career did not end with his playing days as he went on to coach High school (Hamilton High West), Prep (Princeton Day School), College (Mercer County Community College) and Professionally (Trenton Flames) winning multiple titles at all levels. Charley's success did not stop at basketball, as he also coached several other sports including soccer, softball (NJ Group 3 State Champions in 1999) and baseball, with an impressive cumulative coaching record of 0.679 with over 1,000 wins to his name. Most important to him, Charley spent 48 years at Hamilton High West as a teacher and guidance counselor, impacting over four generations of Hamilton's youth before his retirement in 2010. In addition to his time in education and coaching, Charley managed the Yardville Swim Club in Yardville, NJ,for over 45 years prior to its closing in 2011. Son of the late Charles Ross, Sr. and Rhoda Mae (Hammerman) Ross. Predeceased by his sister, Carol Beahm; sister-in-law, Patricia Toscano; and brother-in-law, James R. Bradbury III; Charley leaves behind the love of his life for over 40 years, Susan Bradbury of Hamilton, NJ; daughters, Shelly Ross of Hamilton, NJ, Melissa Keintz (fiance, Steve Savino) of Keyport, NJ, and Stacey Ross (fiance, Dave DeCamp) of Hamilton, NJ; grandchildren, Darrah Lynn Keintz of Hamilton, NJ, and Mark Charles Ross (partner, Megan Ross) of Seattle, WA; great-grandchild, Graysen Shea Ross of Seattle, WA; step-grandchildren, Steven Savino, Isabella Savino, and Victoria Foppiano (Jonathan) all of NJ; cousin, Michael Chilot (Rose) of Easton, PA; brother-in-law, Bob Wert; nephews, Robert Wert (Lucy), Chuck Wert (Kristi), Jason Wert (Tami), and Greg Wert (Tasha) all of PA; sister-in-law, Joanne Armitage (John) of Fieldsboro, NJ; brother-in-law, John Bradbury (Tracey) of Chesterfield, NJ; brother-in-law, Ted Toscano of Bedford, NH; sister-in-law, Ronnie Bradbury of Bordentown, NJ; niece, Jennifer Costner (Mark) of Manahawkin, NJ; and nephew, Lee Bradbury (Whitney) of Yardville, NJ. He is also survived by his ex-wife, Mary Anne Baker and her husband, Joseph Baker, of Hamilton, NJ and special family members, Jacqueline Zimmerman, Jamie Raby, Diane Williams (Dennis), Brent Williams (Christine), Amanda Bennett (John), Joseph Baker (Enyu), and Pat Baker. He will also be dearly missed by several great-nieces/nephews; dear lifelong friends too numerous to mention; and his loyal canine companion, Cooper. Visitation for family and friends will be held on Sunday, June 20, 2021, from 1 until 3 p.m. and 6 until 9 p.m. and on Monday, June 21, 2021, from 9 until 10 a.m. at the Saul Colonial Home, 3795 Nottingham Way, Hamilton Square, NJ 08690. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, June 21, 2021, at 11 a.m. at Our Lady of Sorrows-St. Anthony's Parish, Our Lady of Sorrows Church, 3816 East State Street Extension, Hamilton, NJ 08619. Interment will immediately follow at Greenwood Cemetery, 1800 Hamilton Avenue, Hamilton, NJ 08619. Masks are optional for the visitation and funeral services of Charley. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Charley's memory to Recovery Advocates of America, 2117 Highway 33, Suite 1, Hamilton, NJ 08690 or by visiting. www.saulfuneralhomes.com Saul Colonial Home 3795 Nottingham Way Hamilton Square, NJ 08690 (609) 587-0170