Ronald S. Goss, 85

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — Ronald Salvatore Goss, 85, of Williamstown passed away on Monday, December 5, 2016, after a short illness. 

Mr. Goss was the son of the late Raymond Goss and Katherine Gattuso Goss Szafranski and stepson of the late Kazimerz Szafranski. He was raised by his mother and grandparents, the late Nunzia and Salvatore Gattuso, on Walnut Street in North Adams.

After graduating from Drury High School in 1950 he worked at Mount Hope Farm and Sprague Electric prior to enlisting in the Navy, where he served for four years as a hospital corpsmen. He later worked at the Arnold Print Works and as a police officer for the Town of Adams while attending North Adams State College, where he graduated in 1960 with majors in English and History. In 1966 Mr.Goss received his master's degree in Education. 

After spending two years teaching in Ballston Spa, N.Y., he returned to North Adams to accept a position at the soon to be opened Charles H. McCann Vocational Technical School in 1962. He took great pride in being a member of the first faculty hired to teach at the new school. Ron also took pride in knowing that during his 18 years at McCann he helped in establishing a standard of excellence at the school, which continues to this day. He taught English, History and Physical Education and established their first athletic programs. He was the first head coach of the baseball team from 1962-1965 as well as the first coach of the football team from 1963-1970. He also started the annual football exchange with Nantucket High School which continued for several years. In 1965 Ron became McCann's first Athletic Director, a position he held until 1974. Every time he attended a football game at McCann he was sure to remind everyone that he and his P.E. students spent many hours removing the stones which once covered the field.

In 1980 he left his beloved McCann to take the position of Assistant Director of Vocational Education at Taconic High School, a position he held until his retirement in 1990. 

Even in retirement he continued his love for high school football when John Allen recruited him to be his line coach at Mt Greylock Regional High School. Over the years he helped other high school coaches whenever they called as he would never turn down the chance to work with young people. 

Ronald Goss leaves his devoted and loving wife, the former Patricia A. Kittler, with whom he would have celebrated their 64th wedding anniversary in January. He also leaves four children, Ronald Goss (Cindi,) Kathleen Wall, Nancy Goss O'Brien and Timothy Goss (Margaret); daughter-in-law Julie George-Goss; grandchildren David Wall (Kimmy), Michael Wall (Candace), Jonathan Thomas, Alexandra Goss, Victoria Goss, Connor Goss, Brendon Goss, Ryan Goss and Katherine Goss; and his brother-in-law and sister-in-law, William and Barbara Kittler.

He was predeceased by his loving son Tom, who passed away unexpectedly on April 14, 2016.

Funeral notice:  Donations in memory of Ronald S. Goss may be made to the Thomas Goss Education Memorial Fund through the funeral home.

Calling hours are Thursday, December 8, 2016, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Flynn & Dagnoli-Montagna Home for Funerals, West Chapels, 521 West Main Street in North Adams. The funeral will be held from the Flynn & Dagnoli-Montagna Home for Funerals, West Chapels, on Friday, December 9, 2016 at 10:15 a.m. followed by a Liturgy of Christian Mass at St Elizabeth of Hungary Church in North Adams at 11 a.m. Burial will follow with full military honors in Southview cemetery.