William David Ross

William David Ross January 28, 1951 - August 20, 2025 William (Bill) David Ross, 74, of Northampton, Massachusetts, passed away peacefully on August 20, 2025. Born in New Haven, Connecticut, at Grace New Haven Hospital, he was a beloved son of Arthur (Art) and Kathryn (Kay) Ross. Bill grew up in the Ross household at 100 Mountain View Terrace in North Haven, the second of six children with siblings Judith, Sally, Martha, Michael, and Jonathan. The family shared a love of folk music, often gathering with neighbors and friends to sing, particularly at their cherished cabin in Forest City, Maine, affectionately known as "The Mouse House." After graduating from The Hopkins School in New Haven in 1969, Bill attended Carleton College in Minnesota, where he earned his degree in English with a minor in Japanese studies in 1974. His junior year abroad in Japan sparked a lifelong passion for Japanese culture and led him to study the shakuhachi flute, an instrument he played throughout the rest of his life. Following college, Bill moved to Boston and then Chicago, where he co-owned a stained-glass shop and later worked at an advertising agency. In Chicago in 1977, he met his future wife, Carolyn (Cary), while volunteering for The Hunger Project. They married on September 12, 1982 at Congregation Emmanual in Chicago, and later welcomed a daughter, Nina, and a son, Joshua. In 1990, Bill began a distinguished career at Nielsen Media Research, where he worked for more than 30 years, rising to Vice President of Sales and frequently earning recognition as Salesperson of the Month and Year. When Nielsen transferred him to New York City in 1996, the family settled in Ridgefield, Connecticut, where Bill and Cary raised their children. Bill's joy was multiplied with the birth of his grandson Arthur in 2015. Upon retirement from Nielsen, he and Cary moved to Northampton, Massachusetts. Bill was a man of many passions and talents. His deep devotion to Judaism, spirituality, and meditation informed his life's philosophy, while his love of Japanese culture enriched his worldview. He served as a lay leader at Temple B'nai Chaim in Georgetown, Connecticut, where his family worshipped for many years. He was an accomplished speaker and writer, known for his wit, intelligence, and gentle nature. Above all, Bill cared deeply about love, joy, and peace, values he shared generously with all who knew him. He is survived by his loving wife Cary; his children Nina (Kyle) and Joshua; his beloved grandson Arthur; his siblings Judith (z"l Ronald), Sally (z"l Derek), Martha (Robin), Michael (Beth), and Jonathan; his nephew Zachary (Meg) their daughter Naomi and his niece Eliana; and his sister-in-law Debbie (Harry) and brother-in-law Len (Marty). He was preceded in death by his parents, Art (2004) and Kay (2011). A graveside service will be held Thursday, August 28th at 11:00 AM at Congregation Mishkan Israel Cemetery, 701 Whalley Avenue, New Haven, CT. Arrival begins at 10:30 AM. May his memory be for a blessing.