Frederick “Fred” William Ross Jr., 70, of Niles, Michigan, passed away on April 3, 2026. He was born on May 4, 1955, in St. Joseph, Michigan, to Frederick William Ross Sr. and Elizabeth “Betty” Jane Ross (Durham).

Fred was a familiar and friendly presence in the Niles community. He spent much of his time at Hot Dogs Plus, where he became a regular in every sense of the word. He knew everyone, and everyone knew him. Whether you stopped in for a quick bite or stayed awhile, Fred was always ready with a story, a conversation, or a laugh.

He had a gift for talking with people and never met a stranger. Fred truly enjoyed staying connected with friends, especially through Facebook, where he kept up with the lives of those he cared about. His companionship and loyalty extended beyond people as well, especially to his beloved cat, Gypsy, who brought him comfort and joy over the years.

Fred is survived by his sister, Linda Reed; his brother, Leonard Ross; his five nieces, Kara, Kourtney, Tamara, Tracy, and Nicole; as well as his niece, Erika, and nephews, Brendon and Heath. He also leaves behind his longtime best friend, Ron Dash, who was always there to lend a hand and share in life’s moments.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his stepfather, Dwayne Curey; and his brothers, Larry Ross and Michael Ross.

Fred will be remembered for his friendly nature, his stories, and the simple way he connected with those around him. His presence will be deeply missed by all who had the chance to know him.

In honor of Fred’s love for animals, memorial contributions may be made to Pet Refuge, a no kill animal shelter located at 4626 South Burnett Drive, South Bend, Indiana 46614.