Ross Joseph Mannina , age 88, of Ft. Myers, Florida , beloved husband of Carrie Mannina , passed away at home on March 10, 2023. Ross was born March 26, 1934 , in Chicago , Illinois to Jenny (At t ardo) and Samuel Mannina. Raised in Chicago, Ross graduated from Lane Technology High School . H e learned to play trombone while a child and found his true vocational passion while playing in various bands by the age of 14.

Ross entered the U.S. Army in 1954 and served in Anchorage, Alaska. Already an experienced trombonist, he played there in the United States Army Band . Upon being honorably discharged, he returned to Chicago where he played the bass guitar and trombone and became a member of the Four Imperials.

Ross and Carrie met in 1982 at their job and after a w hirlwind courtship , were m arried on January 15, 1983 and were rarely separate d. Living and working in Willowbrook , Il. , Again Ross followed his passion for music, playing with various band , with Carrie in the audience leading the applause. They love d to travel – Italy and Hawaii being special trips.

Ross was the proud father of son Steve and his wife Sue Schwendener and daughter Dawn and her husband Rick Sanford , and he considered one of his greatest qualities to be his patience with teaching sports and life skills . He enjoyed hours of watching Dawn figure skate and water ski , through her professional career , and coac hed Steve 's high school baseball and hockey teams . He spent most summer evenings driving the boat as Steve and Dawn skied with teams on the Fox River and Midwest lakes . Ross was an athlete himself: he ran the Chicago Marathon and teamed with his children for triathlons.

Ross also shared his artistic gifts and life . He encouraged Steve's drum playing and managed Steve's first professional band and en thusiastically attend ed Steve's gigs for years. He enjoyed watching Dawn's tennis tournaments and matches.

A l ifetime loyal Chicago Cubs fan , Ross worked in the manufactory industry in purchasing in Chicago until he and Car ri e moved to F lorida in 2004 . They particularly enjoyed s unshine , and the relaxed life style , a dream realized , and Ross h as played in many bands, including Stan Spiro , Lee County Community, Bill Harris and Riverboat Jazz Bands. His favorite genres were Jazz and Big Band. At one point he play ed in five bands.

Ross is survived by his wife Carrie, his son Steve and daughter Dawn, s ister Mary Jo a nd Eddie Puhl, Sandy Motz and other cousin s , niece s and nephews, grand nieces and nephews, and his friends.

Family and friends will gather for a Celebration of Ross's life on Tuesday, April 11 , 2023 beginning at 9:30 a.m. at St. John XXIII Catholic Church, 13060 Palomino Lane, Ft. Myers, Florida 33912. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the American Heart Association , https://www.heart.org/ , or to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital , https://www.stjude.org .