Daniel Lee Gross

Daniel Lee Gross, 64 of Fairfax passed away unexpectedly at his home April 10, 2024, with his wife Nancy at his side. Dan was born on April 5, 1960, in Burlington, VT to Ronald and Theresa Gross. In 1978 he graduated from Bellows Free Academy in Fairfax. After high school Dan joined the army and was stationed in Germany. Upon returning stateside he enjoyed working at Northwestern Medical Center in St. Albans before becoming a radio dispatcher for the US Border Patrol in Swanton. He retired from the Department of Homeland Security in Williston where he was a program analyst.
In 1982 Dan married his best friend and the love of his life, Nancy Woodward. Together they raised their children Erin and Jordan in Fairfax on a bend of the Lamoille River. Dan was very active in the community. He coached soccer, instructed JOAD archery at Pelkey's in St. Albans and volunteered with Fairfax Rescue Squad. He was a Justice of the Peace and he really enjoyed marrying many local couples in a variety of locations.
Shortly after he and Nancy were married Dan asked her father, Al Woodward about the Masons which began his first real journey. Dan became a Master Mason at Lamoille Lodge in Fairfax after which he moved through the chairs to become Master of the Lodge. Shortly after Dan became a Mason he also joined Fairfax Unity Chapter Order of the Eastern Star so he could go to meetings once a month with his wife. Again Dan worked through the stations and became the Worthy Patron. He served as District Deputy and Grand Chaplain. Dan was on track to become the Worthy Grand Patron of Vermont but plans changed.
After a particularly hard winter Nancy said she was done with Vermont. Luckily Dan's government job was one he could do from home so they sold their home and headed west to Las Vegas. Once in Vegas he and Nancy joined an Eastern Star Chapter and his journey continued all the way up to Worthy Grand Patron of Nevada. Along the way he made friends with hundreds of people all over the Southwest.
It's All about the Journey became Dan's life lesson. He and Nancy traveled extensively throughout Nevada, and the surrounding states. He enjoyed volunteering at Red Rock Canyon where he helped in the tortoise habitat just 7 miles away. He visited many National Parks including Zion, Bryce Canyon, and Joshua Tree to name a few. He and Nancy loved taking visitors to Death Valley National Park and to the China Ranch Date Farm in California. Eventually they bought a camper which made trips from Nevada to Vermont and back. An interesting part of his journey was the first trip with camper during the big Covid shut down. Dan on his maiden voyage and the truckers on that trip.
Dan never decided to do something that he didn't finish. He trained for and walked in the Susan G Koman 3 day 60 mile Race for the Cure in San Diego to support a good friend who is a cancer survivor. He walked and volunteered in the Vermont Relay For Life for many years. He ran in two marathons.
Dan was a great dad who was a cheerleader for all of his children's endeavors. He transported the kids to ballet classes, archery tournaments, t-ball games and dance recitals. Dan was the life of every party and nobody was a stranger for long. His sense of humor was contagious. He also had a huge heart making everyone feel loved and welcomed. In 2022 Dan didn't hesitate to pull up stakes, return to Vermont to help where he was needed most helping his family.
Dan was always very creative. He was an actor and singer in high school. After retiring Dan had been doing all kinds of woodworking projects. He was very proud of his new workshop where he gave tours and showed off all of his works of art.
Dan is survived by his wife of 41 years Nancy Gross, daughter Erin Gross and her husband Adam Wallentine of Gypsum, CO, and son Jordan Gross and his wife Arianna Goulatis of Swanton, VT, mother Theresa Gross, brothers Kevin Gross and Donny Gross. Sisters-in-law: Marj Hathaway (Bruce), Linda Woodward, Brothers-in-law: Bruce Woodward (Deb), David Woodward (Kelly) and Barry Kasindorf, in-laws Almon and Dorothy Woodward, many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins and hundreds of friends. Dan was predeceased by his father, Ronald Gross, infant sister Doreen, and sister-in-law, Deborah Kasindorf and brother-in-law Art Vigil.
Visiting hours will be held on Thursday April 18, 2024 at A W Rich Funeral Home – Fairfax Chapel from 4:00 – 7:00 pm. No other services will be held at this time. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to Dan's favorite charity Vermont Paws & Boots which trains dogs to support Veterans and first responders. PO Box 257 Bennington, VT 05201 or to the Fairfax Rescue, 13 Goodall St. Fairfax, VT 05454. Please visit awrfh.com to share your condolences and memories.