David Ross

DAVID ROSS
November 7, 1936 - May 27, 2023
Santa Fe - David Ross passed away peacefully on May 27, 2023, surrounded by his family. He was 86. David was a kind, generous, and fun-loving man, an artist, writer, and early in his career, an actor, filmmaker, and director. He was a devoted husband, father, grandpa, and friend.
David was born in Flushing, Queens, and in many ways was a New Yorker at heart, often reminiscing about egg creams, Coney Island, and working the 42nd Street newspaper stand where his boss introduced him to his beloved Carol in 1970.David joined the Army in 1956 and with the GI Bill attended Pratt Institute and the Art Center School. As an aspiring artist.
David lived in Florence, Italy for six years, studying the masters and selling portraits and landscapes in front of the Uffizi. He won the 1965 Donatello Award for his painting, "The Peace Party," a street scene depicting the end of WWII. David and Carol were married in Santa Fe in 1970 by dear family friend Fray Angélico Chávez. They moved from New York to Santa Fe in 1973 and rented a small house on Canyon Road, soon to become the David Ross Studio. David was best known for his animal art: hand-carved wooden step stools, benches, and doorstops painted to capture the likeness of his client's beloved pets. He was also recognized for his custom retables, especially his St. Francis and San Pasqual, one of which adorns the wall in Tomasita's main dining room.
A talented chef, storyteller, and jokester, David was always looking for ways to create fun and bring joy to others, from conjuring magic tricks over dinner to faking a clumsy drop of a birthday cake box-after slyly removing the cake. He donated countless art pieces to charity and took great pleasure in gifting his art to friends. David and Carol's life was filled with laughter, a love of art, music, film, and bird-watching. Carol is refilling the hummingbird feeder at the Bee Hive where David died.
David is survived by his wife of 53 years, Carol, his 2 sons, Dalton and Julien, his daughters, Jessica and Chelsea, his grandsons Jason and Randall, his sister, Harriette, his nephew Joseph, nieces Jennifer and Marna, and great nieces Madison and Lauren. The family wishes to give special thanks to Dr. Andrea Teague, oncologist, Dr. Karin Thron and the entire Ambercare Hospice team for their extraordinary care, and Susan Benjamin and the multiple myeloma support group. Those interested in celebrating David's life are invited to donate to the New Mexico Wildlife Center: https://newmexicowildlifecenter.org/support-us/

The Family of David Ross has entrusted the care of their beloved one to Avista Cremation & Burial "where healing begins."