A leader remembered: E. Manchester Twp. pays tribute to fallen supervisor Steve Gross

East Manchester Township officials continue to mourn the loss of a friend and colleague who died suddenly over Labor Day weekend.

Tuesday's monthly board of supervisors meeting began with a moment of silent reflection for Steve Gross Jr., who had served on the board for more than two decades.

Gross, 55, was pronounced dead on the afternoon of Sept. 3 after being found unresponsive in a corn silo in the 100 block of Manchester Street. His obituary notes he "passed over to his Lord with boots on, doing the farm work he loved."

At the meeting, Gross' empty chair was draped with black bunting and a white rose. His wooden gavel, which he would routinely swing as chairman of the board, now fell to supervisor Dave Naylor, who moved into the new role Tuesday.

"It is with a very heavy heart that we, as the board of supervisors and staff, continue with local government, serving our residents and the businesses of East Manchester Township," vice-chairman Darryl Albright said.

"I'm sure Steve wouldn't want it any other way."

Naylor took time to thank the emergency workers, including Eagle Fire Company and Union Fire Company, who responded to the fatal incident earlier this month. Both Naylor and Albright were present on the scene that afternoon.

"There was total teamwork between the two departments," Naylor said. "And that took a little bit of sting out of that day, knowing we have dedicated professionals out there doing what they do, and I appreciate that."

Early in the meeting, a motion was introduced to fill the vacant supervisor position. Dean Kohr, who is currently a member of the zoning hearing board, was nominated and approved as the third supervisor. Kohr's duties as temporary successor will officially being with the Oct. 10 meeting and continue for the remainder of the year. He will also replace Gross on the ballot in this fall's general election and, if elected, serve a six-year term.

For over 30 years, Gross' civic engagement spanned throughout the township and well beyond. He held positions at the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau, York County Farmland Preservation Board and York County Agricultural Society Board, among several others.

A celebration of life for Gross will be held at Otterbein Church in Mt. Wolf on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023, at 11 a.m. Visitation at the church will be held prior to the service from 10-11 a.m., and also on Friday, Sept. 15, from 6-8 p.m.