Eric Gross was born on July 22, 1929, the son of Fred and Molly (nee Ruf) Gross in the Stornoway District of Saskatchewan. He attended Glasgow School. Growing up Eric and his brother, Alvin were constant companions. After the death of their father in their teenage years, Eric and Alvin took over their family farm. After Alvin's marriage, Eric continued to farm on his own, however they still did all their harvesting together. Eric loved to tinker with machinery, was an excellent mechanic and was able to fix anything. Hunting and fishing were two of his favourite pastimes. He also loved when it was sausage making time after a successful season of deer hunting. Eric and his mother moved into Yorkton in the early 1970's and he looked after her until she entered a care home in 1989. In 1977, Eric met the love of his life, Joyce and they dated for many years. They married on February 29, 1998. Eric embraced his extended family and enjoyed time spent with all of them. Eric loved the family gatherings and barbecues on a Sunday afternoon. He was always ready for a random road trip or an early morning fishing trip. Eric enjoyed travelling and he and Joyce shared many memorable vacations with their favourites being British Columbia, Las Vegas and especially Nova Scotia. Eric loved life, loved nature and was always ready with a joke to tell. He also enjoyed time spent in his garden and there was never a weed to be found! Eric was predeceased by his parents, Molly and Fred Gross; his niece, Ann Gross; his nephew, Craig Vaughan and his brothers-in-law, Richard Burback, John Ong and Norval Vaughan. Eric is survived by his wife Joyce; her children, Sherry (Kelly) Wenet, Brian Derbowka and Dwayne (Lynette Strom) Derbowka; grandchildren, Tarra (John) Killam, Scott (Lisa Johnson) Elliott, Doug (Rachel) Elliott, Matt (RaeAnne Schneider) Wenet, Taylor (James Davis) Derbowka, Rebecca (Scott Deutscher) Poncsak, Mackenzie Derbowka and Jaedyn Poncsak; his great-grandchildren, Ethan, Ryder, Carson, Cohen and Malcolm. Eric is also survived by his brother, Alvin (Mary) Gross; sisters, Miriam Burback, Lil Nesbitt and Ruth Vaughan as well as many nieces and nephews. Eric's family would like to extend their sincere appreciation and thanks to the staff of the Sunrise Health Region first floor for all their compassion and help during this difficult time. Funeral Services were held on Thursday, November 24, 2016 from Zion Lutheran Church in Yorkton, SK with the Reverend Barry D. Wood officiating. The organist, Verna Liebrecht, led the congregation in the singing of the hymns, "Lord, Thee I Love With All My Heart", "For All The Saints" and "The Lord's My Shepherd". The soloist, Rachel Elliott sang "Amazing Grace". The Cremation Committal followed in the Yorkton City Cemetery with Brian Derbowka serving as the urn bearer. Friends so wishing may forward their condolences to the family by visiting . Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Christie's Funeral Home & Crematorium, Yorkton, Saskatchewan.
