Rosauro " Ross " Ventura Velasquez, a long-time resident of Lake Worth, Florida, passed away peacefully at the age of 90 with family by his side on Wednesday, August 25, 2021. Ross ' s death was attributed to head injuries, resulting from falls he had taken in the past two years, from which he never fully recovered.

Ross was born on October 5, 1930 in the Philippines to Gertrudez and Felipe, and is one of nine siblings (second eldest). He is survived by two sisters in the Philippines, Lucita (Velasquez) Gozun and Diwata (Velasquez) Angeles.

After graduating with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of the Philippines in 1955, Ross went on to work for the railroad system. Upon immigrating to the United States in 1968, Ross worked as a mechanical engineer for McDonnell Douglas in St. Louis, Missouri designing airplanes. He also worked for Boeing in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania where he helped in the designing of helicopters. Ross was also employed by the Tobyhanna Army Depot in Tobyhanna, Pennsylvania. Here he worked in the Industrial Process Division, modernizing the printed circuit fabrication facility. While there at the Army Depot, he also worked in the machine, welding, sheet metal and electronic assembly areas. All of the Army Depot employees were also involved with equipment and supplies used for Operation Desert Storm. He retired from the Tobyhanna Army Depot in 1996 with a retirement party at this favorite place — Pizza Hut in Mount Pocono, Pennsylvania.

Ross met his loving wife of 54 years, Veneranda " Vener " in 1966 in the Philippines, by whom he is survived. Vener, who was a dentist at the time, was introduced to Ross by Vener ' s neighbor, who also worked at the railroad with Ross. Ross would go to Vener ' s dental office to have his teeth cleaned, just to see her. They fell in love and married in 1967. They had a baby girl born that same year, Josie Velasquez (RIP), but had preceded him in death upon birth.

Ross and Vener then immigrated to the United States in 1968 where they had two more children, of whom he is survived — Linus " Tony " Velasquez and Marie (Velasquez) Caspelich who is married to son-in-law Gary Caspelich. Ross was blessed and survived by four glorious grandchildren - Mia Caspelich, Abigail Velasquez, Mikayla Velasquez and Sofia Caspelich. His grandchildren will lovingly remember him as " Lolo " , translated as grandpa in the Tagalog-Filipino language. Lolo loved his granddaughters so much, and taught them to sing " I Have Two Hands " when they were all babies. Ross is also survived by loving brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nephews and nieces, living in the United States, the Philippines and Australia.

Ross had an immense passion for planting vegetables, flowers and trees. He loved math, animals, enjoyed solving puzzles, and working on cars. He joked, played pranks and laughed a lot. His two most favorite movies were " Sister Act " and " Mrs. Doubtfire " . Ross, a devout Catholic, was always willing to lend a hand and touched many lives. He will always be remembered for his huge heart and kind, gentle demeanor.

Services include a Wake on September 3, 2021 from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm at the Palm Beach National Chapel in Lake Worth, Florida, and Funeral Mass on September 4, 2021 at 10:00 am at Saint Matthew Catholic Church in Lake Worth, Florida.