William J. Ross passed away at Melrose Care Center in Melrose on July 2nd at the age of 91. He was born in Lawrence, raised in Andover & Lawrence and graduated from Lawrence High School. William lived in Cambridge for 66 years and the past 3 years in Melrose. He was a firefighter for the City of Cambridge for over 33 years serving mainly on Ladder 2 in the Portland Street Station, as well as Inman Square Fire Station, retiring in 1972. He was a member of the Retired Firefighter's Assoc. and a longtime member of St. Mary's Church in Cambridge. William was the husband of the late Alice (Sacco) Ross. Father of Carol A. Coffill & her husband Robert of Somerville and John W. Ross & his wife Christine of Melrose. Brother of Mary T. Pizzuro of Burlington and the late Carl Ross. Grandfather of William J. & Wendy A. Coffill, Laurie E. Burton, Allison L. & Kimberly E. Ross. Funeral from the Gately Funeral Home 79 W. Foster St. Melrose on Tues. July 8th at 8AM. Funeral mass in St. Mary's Church, Herbert St. Melrose, at 9AM. Relatives and friends invited. Visiting hours Monday 7-9PM only. Burial in North Cambridge Cemetery in Cambridge. Memorial contributions may be made in William's name to the American Diabetes Assoc. 1 Bromfield St., Suite 5, Boston 02108.