Burnham Richardson Gross Obituary

GROSS---On Thursday, December 1, 2022, the Lord called home. His faithful servant Burnham "Burnie" Richardson Gross. Burnie was born on June 19, 1930 in Eastham, MA to Carl Burnham Gross and Ellyn Richardson Gross.

As a child the family moved from Eastham to Wellfleet, MA which then became the family home. He graduated from Wellfleet High School in 1948 and enlisted in the USMC. After faithfully serving his country, Burnie was honorably discharged in 1952 having obtained the rank of Corporal. Soon after, he enrolled at the University of Florida in Gainesville, FL, graduating in 1959 with a degree in Business Administration. After graduation, Burnie moved to Jacksonville, FL where he gained employment with Prudential Life Insurance Co. retiring after 31 years of dedication to his many, many clients.

Burnie was a Christian having accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior in 1967. From then on he was a loving example of the life Christ called him to live, witnessing to hundreds of people about the love of Jesus and leading them to Christ. Even in his last days he was a witness to all about the love of God and the promise of eternal life. As a founding member of Abundant Life Church, he also served the Lord in more ways and remained until his passing a faithful servant of the church.

Burnie is predeceased by his parents, Carl and Ellyn Gross and his brothers Donald Gross and William Gross.

Burnie met and married the love of his life, Marie, in 1970 and on December 26, 2022 they would have celebrated their 52nd wedding anniversary. He is survived by Marie and his children: Kristine Johnson (Ken), Brian Gross (Charlene), Linda Censon, William Gross (Bonnie), and Shanon McKinley; 10 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister June Adams (Tom), sister-in-law Ellie Gross, and many nieces and nephews. Burnie had a loving and fulfilled life and will be missed by all those whose lives he touched in so many ways.

Funeral services in celebration of his life will be held at 11:00 AM on Tuesday December 6, 2022 at his church home, Abundant Life Church, 7700 Wilson Blvd., Jacksonville, FL 32210 with Pastors Brent Soileau, Roger Pickering, and Linda Pickering officiating. Burnie will be laid to rest in the Garden of the Good Shepherd at Jacksonville Memory Gardens in Orange Park, FL. Family members and friends will gather from 10:00 AM until the hour of service at the church on Tuesday morning.

His family would like to thank the wonderful caregivers at Haven Hospice in Orange Park for their compassion and care for Burnie in his last days, and have requested that in lieu of flowers, donations in his memory be made to Haven Hospice at http://www.beyourhaven.org. All are encouraged to share photos, condolences, and other remembrances of Burnie on the Tribute Wall here.