In Memory of Sheldon Ross Sloan

Obituary

UTICA - Mr. Sheldon Ross Sloan, age 82, passed away on January 7, 2019 at the Masonic Care Community with his family by his side.

Born in Utica on September 3, 1936, Ross was the son of the late Dr. Robert Sloan and Myrle Satterlee Sloan. He was raised and educated in New Hartford. Ross graduated from New Hartford High School in 1954 and Colgate University in 1958. On June 22, 1957, Ross married Catherine Cain Kelly. They enjoyed 53 years together until Cain’s death in 2010.

Ross founded the truss manufacturing company S.R. Sloan, Incorporated, in 1960. He built his business from borrowed space at Jay-K Lumber with two sawhorses to a large production facility in New Hartford and then Whitesboro and Orwigsburg, Pennsylvania. Ross was the president of S.R. Sloan, Inc., until his retirement in 2001.

Ross served his community throughout his life. He was a member of the New Hartford Sports Boosters, the Homebuilders Association of the Mohawk Valley, and the Mohawk Valley Builders Exchange. He served on the boards of both the Village and Town of New Hartford. He was very proud to have served for twenty years on the New Hartford Police Commission. Ross was a long-standing member of Grace Church in Utica and served on their vestry for many years.

Ross loved to spend his free time at his camps on Oneida Lake as a youth and at Simon’s Pond in the Adirondacks in his retirement. He enjoyed boating and fishing. Ross also spent his free time in his basement wood shop, crafting furniture, canoes, wooden toys, and exquisitely crafted model sailing ships.

Ross was always a quintessential gentleman, making sure that those around him were comfortable and content. He had a good sense of humor and loved spending time with his family and friends.

Ross is survived by his children, Julie L. Sloan of North Adams, MA; Stephen R. Sloan and his wife, Elizabeth Mikoda of Schuyler, NY; Christina Sloan Klar and her husband, Michael of New Hartford, NY; and Daniel R. Sloan and his wife, Roberta (Hahn) of Vernon, NY; his grandchildren, Jacob Sloan and his wife, Brianne (Kammerman); and Peter Sloan. Also surviving are his nieces, Joyce Palmer; and Joanne Horvath and her husband, Al; his nephews, Douglas and Andrew Sloan; his brothers-in-law, Chris Kelly and his wife, Virginia; and Walt Fitzgerald; his sisters-in-law, Claire Kelly Sturr and her husband, Joseph; Karen Kelly; and Joan Kelly; as well as several step-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. He also leaves his dear friends and caregivers Megan and Bridget and his life-long friends Joe Ferris and Phil Bisselle. He was predeceased by his brother, Robert Sloan and his wife; Eleanor; his sister, Doris Sloan Oster and her husband, Joseph; and his brothers-in-law, Kevin Kelly and his wife, Nancy; and Steve Kelly.

Ross’ family extends their sincere gratitude to Dr. Wilcox, Dr. McCormick, and the staff at Wiley Hall and the Saratoga unit at the Masonic Care Community.

The funeral will be on Friday at 10:30 at the Friedel, Williams & Edmunds Funeral and Cremation Services, 13 Oxford Rd., New Hartford. Interment will be in Mt. Olivet Cemetery. Calling hours will be on Thursday from 4:00 to 7:00 at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the S. Ross Sloan Scholarship, c/o The Community Foundation, 2608 Genesee St, Utica, NY 13502 or the Masonic Care Community, 2150 Bleecker St., Utica, NY 13501.