DOVER - Thomas "Ross" Kirwan died on Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2017, at the University of Pennsylvania after an extensive hospitalization and complications from a boating accident.
Ross was born Jul. 4, 1954, in Illinois to the late Thomas F. Kirwan, Jr. and Constance Ross Kirwan and was raised in Delaware. He graduated from Holy Cross High School, Dover in 1972.
He served five years in the United States Navy as a corpsman at the Naval Hospital in Oakland, Calif. Ross earned his bachelor's and master's degrees from Humboldt State University in psychotherapy and worked as a counselor for Catholic Charities and local hospitals with a focus on counseling Vietnam vets. He enjoyed a second career as a school photographer for Lifetouch before retiring and returning to Dover to marry Debbie. He lived in Arcata, Calif. for many years and loved to sail on Humboldt Bay. He was an active member of the Humboldt Yacht Club in Eureka, Calif. Ross's passion continued to thrive on the east coast as he enjoyed sailing on the Bohemia River to the Chesapeake Bay, sharing great times with family and friends.
In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by sisters, Maralee Battaglia, Cici Dotson, Joyce Mullis, and Kelly Kirwan.
He is survived by his wife of four years, Deborah Fitzpatrick Kirwan of Dover; son, Brady Kirwan (Amanda Wilson) of Hillsboro, Ohio; daughter, Kelsey Kirwan (Bjarne Tungland) of Leeds, England; stepdaughter, Erin Hill-Burns (Andrew Burns) of Niskayuna, N.Y.; stepson, Colin Hill (Jackie) of Dover; sister, Kathleen DePew of Anchorage, Alaska; stepgrandchildren, Penelope Burns, Aiden, Luca, and Bella Aviola; nieces and nephews, in-laws, and close friends - all he loved dearly.
Ross's family is sincerely grateful to the numerous medical professionals associated with Bayhealth Medical Center-Kent General (especially the ICU and cardiac teams) and Broadmeadow Rehabilitation-Middletown, whose never-ending dedication and caring support provided the gift of extended quality time. There is much appreciation for all of them putting up with bad jokes, awful puns, and the ubiquitous question Ross asked of everyone who ever asked if he had any other questions, "what's the capital of Uruguay?"
A memorial celebration of Ross's life will take place on Saturday, Oct. 7, 2017, 2 p.m. at Silver Lake Park (pavilion #2) in Dover.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggest donations in memory of Ross to Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Charitable Service Trust, https://cst.dav.org and to Postcard Connect, Inc., 50 Carnoustie Rd., Dover, DE 19904 (more info – https://www.facebook.com/Postcard-Connect).
Letters of condolences may be sent and guestbook signed at www.torbertfuneral.com