Orville Bergier Ross

Col. Orville Bergier Ross, USAF ret., 86, of 45 Bliss Mine Road Middletown, died Wednesday, May 22, 2002 at Newport Hospital Newport, RI.He was the husband of Diane Iris Leach Ross of Middletown and the late Dorothy Jean Leach Ross. Col. Ross was born in Peabody, KA on June 11, 1915, he was the son of the late Arthur Oliver and Cynthia Bergier Ross. Col. Ross served for 26 years in the United States Air Force during WWII and the Korean War. During WWII he was a Bomberder in the 385 Bomb Squadron flying out of England and was awarded the Croix De Guerre with a Gold Star by the French Government . After his retirement in 1966 he and his late wife Dorothy settled in Newport . They owned and operated the antique store La Fontaine on Spring Street, until he sold it in 1991. After that he took care of his properties. Col. Ross was a member of the 385 Bomber Group Society and a founding member of the American Air Museum in England. Besides his wife he is survived by three nephews: Thomas Holmberg of CA, Edward Holmberg of CO, and David Holmberg of London England, and several great nieces and nephews.He was the husband of the late Dorothy Jean Leach Ross, and the brother of the late Ivan Ross and Ruth Holmberg. His Burial Service will be held on Wednesday, May 29, 2002, at 11:00 am in the Memorial Funeral Home, 375 Broadway, Newport. Burial will be in Newport Memorial Park in Middletown.