An ex-athlete and a writer who left a lasting impact on the boxing community, Ron Ross died March 23 after contracting coronavirus. He was 87.
A member of the Florida Boxing Hall of Fame, Ross and his wife, Susan, spent the past 20 years splitting time between Boca Raton and Oceanside, New York.
Growing up in Brooklyn, Ross quickly immersed himself in the world of boxing and eventually worked as fighter, manager, promoter and author. Although he had real estate career that spanned 40 years, his passion was writing colorful stories centered around boxing and the Jewish immigrant community.
He published his first novel in 1993, “Tomato Can,” a slang term for a fighter who’s considered an easy opponent for established boxers. Ross continued delving into the boxing world, later penning the biographical “Bummy Davis vs. Murder, Inc.: The Rise and Fall of the Jewish Mafia and an Ill-Fated Prizefighter” and “Nine…Ten…and Out! The Two Worlds of Emile Griffith.” The film rights for both stories have been purchased by studios.
“Ron was an inspiring individual who impacted many people with his magnificent writings or his fascinating stories,” Florida Boxing Hall of Fame vice president Steve Canton said. “He was involved in the sport of boxing most of his life and was a terrific role model.
“Ron will be sorely missed and his memory and legacy never forgotten. I was fortunate to have called him a friend for many years. He was truly special.”
A member of the Boxing Writers Association of America, Ross authored seven books, including a pair of children’s stories.
Over the past two decades, Ross and his wife were snowbirds, enjoying the South Florida climate from October to May. Married for 58 years, Ron and Susan would relax at The Polo Club of Boca Raton, “eating all their meals together,” said his daughter, Lisa Ross. The couple stayed physically active, frequently exercising together.
“Up until a few months ago, he was doing like 50 sit-ups and 50 push-ups each day,” Lisa said, adding he would also use the speed bag at the club.
“He was one of the most honest, loyal, generous — very family-oriented,” Lisa said. “[He] worshiped his wife and she worshiped him. Very funny. He had a great sense of humor. He was quiet, but when he did talk, he had something very funny to say.”
One week before he passed away, his wife Susan was sent to the hospital after coming down with a fever. She was moved to the intensive care unit the following day and still remains there.
Ron, who battled Parkinson’s Disease, developed a fever on March 20 and was transported by paramedics to Delray Medical Center. Suffering from fatigue, his condition deteriorated and he was later moved to the ICU before passing away on March 23. Lisa Ross believed her father may have had another infection at the time as well.
Ron is survived by his wife Susan, and his two daughters, Lisa and Wendy.
