Wayne Ross, president of Southern Maine Community College in South Portland for 23 years, from 1979-2002, has died. Holding the title of president emeritus, Ross kept close ties to the community college even after his retirement.

Ross, 80, “oversaw the transformation of our college through the decades and laid the foundation for what SMCC is today,” current president Ron Cantor said in a statement issued last week honoring Ross’ legacy.

The technology center at Southern Maine Community College is named in his honor, and the Betsy Ross House, a senior living center located just off campus, is named in honor of his wife.

A Maine native, Ross, earned a bachelor’s degree in business and economics from the University of Maine, as well as a master’s degree in public administration, according to his obituary.

He and Betsy married in June of 1959 and had two children. Ross spent nearly his entire career as an educational administrator, starting out as executive director of the Maine Higher Education Facilities Commission.

In addition to his commitment to education, Ross was also an “avid volunteer, serving countless charitable and civic organizations,” his obituary said.

His volunteer work included being a board member, vice president and president of the South Portland-Cape Elizabeth Community Chamber of Commerce, a member of the board for the Maine Medical Center Foundation and a member of the board for the Portland Symphony Orchestra.

He also served on the board at the Portland Harbor Museum, was a member of the Willard Beach Neighborhood Association and a deacon at the First Congregational Church in South Portland. Ross also served six years in the U.S. Army, both on active duty and with the reserves.

In his later years, Ross was “able to travel extensively with his wife, and he greatly enjoyed spending time with family and friends,” his obituary said. “He was quite the storyteller and had a wonderful sense of humor. He will be dearly missed and those who knew him best will undoubtedly share (memories of him) with love and laughter for many years to come.”

Ross is survived by his wife, Betsy; his daughter, Anne Ross-Murray of South Portland; his son, Steven Wayne Ross of South Portland; a sister, Marie Ross and husband Stan of Old Orchard Beach; a sister-in-law, May Ross Coffin of Augusta; granddaughters Kelsey Anne Murray of Arlington, Virginia, and Emily Avesia Murray of Somerville, Massachusetts; grandson Mitchell Steven Ross of Westbrook; aunt Grace Ross-Campbell of Readfield; and several cousins, nieces and nephews.

– Kate Irish Collins

A closer look

Visiting hours for Wayne Ross, president emeritus of Southern Maine Community College, will be held on Friday, Nov. 25, 4-7, p.m., at the Hobbs Funeral Home in South Portland. A memorial service will then be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Nov 26, at the First Congregational Church, also in South Portland.

In lieu of flowers, the Ross family has requested that donations be made to the SMCC Foundation President’s Fund at: SMCC Foundation, 2 Fort Road, South Portland, Maine 04106.

Wayne Ross