Ross "Sonny" Wade , VRHS Class of 1947
Ross John Wade, 88, passed away peacefully at his Vero home surrounded by family on April 15, 2018, and is now with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Ross was born in Albany, New York to John and Hilda Wade. After graduating from Van Rensselaer High School, Ross joined the United States Army and served in the Korean War. In 1958 Ross moved to Florida and soon settled in Jupiter where he began a career as a test engineer for Pratt & Whitney, testing Mach II, high-altitude jet engines. Ross met the love of his life Eleanor (Ellie), who also worked in engineering at Pratt & Whitney through a Christian singles event in Jupiter. Ross was a generous and kind person who was always ready to lend a hand or an encouraging word. The ultimate optimist, who enjoyed all that life has to offer, Ross always saw the glass as half full. Ross and Ellie enjoyed traveling in their motor-home, traveling across the country multiple times. Ross often said that he was appreciative that he had been able to visit so many places in the United States and across the world. An avid football fan, Ross enjoyed watching football with his grandson Farai and cheered the Patriots on for their many super bowl wins. Ross and Ellie were also avid square dancers who belonged to the National Square Dance Campers, chapter 193, Roadrunners. Ross is pre-deceased by his parents, sister Shirley Lout, brother Bobby Wade, stepson Robert Doane, mother-in-law Marie Luft and son-in-law Chuck Leswing. Ross is survived by his loving wife, Ellie, adoring daughter Tracey Wade, son Barry Wade, grandsons, Farai Wade and Paul Murdock, granddaughter, Lilly Crowell, great-granddaughters, Patricia and Makenna Murdock, sister Susan DeJoy, step-daughter Susan Leswing and several nephews and nieces. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to Roseland Methodist Church or Blaze of Glory Ministry, PO Box 1103, Live Oak, FL 32064.