Michael Conway Ross
1956-09-10 2014-11-18
https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/latimes/name/michael-ross-obituary?id=17235772
Michael Ross Obituary
September 10, 1956 - November 18, 2014 Michael Conway Ross was born the son of Bill and Ann Ross in Winston-Salem, NC on 9/10/56. He attended Menlo Atherton High School where he excelled in Water Polo and Swimming. He matriculated to USC where he played both sports. While completing his business degree, he served as President of the Beta Theta Pi fraternity, where he developed lifelong relationships with his brothers. Following graduation, Michael moved to Brisbane, Australia where he fueled his passion for Water Polo by serving as a player-coach for a local team. After coaching, he backpacked through Europe and Asia before returning to Los Angeles a year later. Michael met the love of his life, Cathy Werner, in 1982, and married her two years later. They gave birth to three children--Caitlyn, Taylor and Hayden. He loved watching his children play sports and also took great pleasure in planning annual family vacations.
Michael began his career in commercial real estate at Coldwell Banker (CBRE) and developed a reputation for being honest and hard-working. He worked there for 15 years before moving onto Colliers International as Managing Director for the Investment Properties Division. After 13 years at Colliers, Michael became EVP of Grubb & Ellis' Institutional Capital Markets group. In 2012, he was named the Senior Managing Director at the Los Angeles office of HFF. He finished his career at Coldwell Banker Commercial Westmac. Michael received top recognition from each of these organizations and closed more than $7 billion in transactions. He was an active member in both the Urban Land Institute (ULI) and the Association of Industrial Realtors (AIR). The Los Angeles Business Journal named Michael one of the top three investment brokers in the LA area. Michael was an avid surfer and was always on the search for the perfect wave. He participated in the annual Alcatraz Race in the non-wetsuit division. In 2006, he was honored to represent Australia in the FINA Mens Water Polo World Cup. He brought home the gold medal, which to this day still sits in his study. Michael loved playing golf with his friends and family at The Los Angeles Country Club. He took great pride in the Sportsmen Club and made many lasting friendships. He spent hours at the driving range and always dreamed of one day sinking a hole in one.
Michael Ross died on Tuesday, November 18, 2014 after battling Multiple Myeloma for seven years. He was a beloved father, loving husband, and the ultimate provider. His gentle kindness influenced everyone, and he leaves this world having left those close to him inspired. He is survived by his loving wife of 30 years, three children, his mother (Ann) and sisters (Nancy Cooper, Robbie Finnigan). A service will be held on Friday, December 12 at 10 am at St. Paul the Apostle Church in Westwood. Donations can be made in Mike's honor to: --USC Water Polo c/o Michael Ross Scholarship Fund, Uytengsu Aquatic Center, 1026 W. 34th St., Los Angeles, CA 90089. --the Institute for Myeloma & Bone Cancer Research. Please visit www.imbcr.org.
Published by Los Angeles Times on Nov. 30, 2014.
Michael Ross Obituary
September 10, 1956 - November 18, 2014 Michael Conway Ross was born the son of Bill and Ann Ross in Winston-Salem, NC on 9/10/56. He attended Menlo Atherton High School where he excelled in Water Polo and Swimming. He matriculated to USC where he played both sports. While completing his business degree, he served as President of the Beta Theta Pi fraternity, where he developed lifelong relationships with his brothers. Following graduation, Michael moved to Brisbane, Australia where he fueled his passion for Water Polo by serving as a player-coach for a local team. After coaching, he backpacked through Europe and Asia before returning to Los Angeles a year later. Michael met the love of his life, Cathy Werner, in 1982, and married her two years later. They gave birth to three children--Caitlyn, Taylor and Hayden. He loved watching his children play sports and also took great pleasure in planning annual family vacations.
Michael began his career in commercial real estate at Coldwell Banker (CBRE) and developed a reputation for being honest and hard-working. He worked there for 15 years before moving onto Colliers International as Managing Director for the Investment Properties Division. After 13 years at Colliers, Michael became EVP of Grubb & Ellis' Institutional Capital Markets group. In 2012, he was named the Senior Managing Director at the Los Angeles office of HFF. He finished his career at Coldwell Banker Commercial Westmac. Michael received top recognition from each of these organizations and closed more than $7 billion in transactions. He was an active member in both the Urban Land Institute (ULI) and the Association of Industrial Realtors (AIR). The Los Angeles Business Journal named Michael one of the top three investment brokers in the LA area. Michael was an avid surfer and was always on the search for the perfect wave. He participated in the annual Alcatraz Race in the non-wetsuit division. In 2006, he was honored to represent Australia in the FINA Mens Water Polo World Cup. He brought home the gold medal, which to this day still sits in his study. Michael loved playing golf with his friends and family at The Los Angeles Country Club. He took great pride in the Sportsmen Club and made many lasting friendships. He spent hours at the driving range and always dreamed of one day sinking a hole in one.
Michael Ross died on Tuesday, November 18, 2014 after battling Multiple Myeloma for seven years. He was a beloved father, loving husband, and the ultimate provider. His gentle kindness influenced everyone, and he leaves this world having left those close to him inspired. He is survived by his loving wife of 30 years, three children, his mother (Ann) and sisters (Nancy Cooper, Robbie Finnigan). A service will be held on Friday, December 12 at 10 am at St. Paul the Apostle Church in Westwood. Donations can be made in Mike's honor to: --USC Water Polo c/o Michael Ross Scholarship Fund, Uytengsu Aquatic Center, 1026 W. 34th St., Los Angeles, CA 90089. --the Institute for Myeloma & Bone Cancer Research. Please visit www.imbcr.org.
Published by Los Angeles Times on Nov. 30, 2014.