Thursday, January 13, 2011

JUDGE SKIP GROSS HAS PASSED AWAY




FUNERAL FOR JUDGE SKIP GROSS TODAY at 2pm Temple Beth Am in Kendall:

Once again we say goodbye to a friend way too soon.
As the comments have shown, Skip Gross was known for his friendliness. As Judge Blake recalled, Skip Gross was often the first Judge at the family courthouse, sitting outside and greeting people. But beyond the ready smile was a smart Judge; a judge who could apply the correct law with wisdom, compassion and understanding. Isn't that the ultimate definition of a great Judge? When you came away from a hearing before Skip Gross you knew he had treated your client fairly, win or lose. And I often had the thought that if ever I was unlucky enough to be a litigant, I could only hope for a Judge like Skip Gross. Skip Gross dedicated his life to serving our community as a prosecutor, public defender, and Judge. The Herald obit is here and take special note of Judge Brown mentioning that Skip Gross "was a stalwart champion" for children in family court. Could there be any better way for a family court judge to be known?

Rest In Peace Judge Maynard Skip Gross. You will be missed.


Judge Maynard "Skip" Gross passed away suddenly on Wednesday night.

Judge Gross was one of the good guys.

A great Judge.

A real mensch.

He always had a smile and nice story when greeting this blogger.

He will be terribly missed.

Update: Herald article here.

UPDATE: AS PER AOC

Services for Judge Gross will be held Sunday, January 16, 2011 at 2:30 p.m. at Temple Beth Am, 5950 Kendall Drive, Pinecrest, FL 33156, (305)667-6667. More information will follow.

18 comments:

  1. Rumpole - how very sad that Judge Gross died suddenly. So many of our great judges have passed away too soon in the last few years. It almost seems epidemic. To lose Rob Piniero, Henry Leyte Vidal, Judge Manny Crespo, Linda Dakis, Steve Levine, Ted Klein and others is a tragedy and they were all vibrant and too young to go. They did set an example as to how to lead from the bench with intelligence, compassion, temperament, integrity and not being carried away with having a robe. I remember when Judge Ron Friedman wrote to the chief judge that there was "something toxic in the walls" and it wanted it taken care of - this was way before anyone talked about mold, etc. Nothing was ever done and that courthouse was built in the early 1920's. It must be loaded with toxic substances and carcinogens. I would urge the chief judge to please have a study done for each courthouse - or better yet, let,s build a courthouse that is state of the art and "green" like orlando and palm beach has. I feel bad for our colleagues in Broward after all of their floods. What do you think they are breathing. A casual connection between the weirdness of their behavior, demeanor and their strange rulings? You bet ya! I am so glad that I retired years ago with only slightly scarred lungs and kidney disease ....

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  2. Truly a great judge and wonderful person. The community has lost a person that cared about the folks that came across his courtroom. Always treated everyone with respect and dignity. I will truly miss him and all the knowledge and kindness he has shown me.

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  3. The Captain Reports:

    Loyal readers will remember on December 5, 2009, it was Judge Skip Gross that wrote on the passing of his friend Richard Essen.

    Cap Out .....

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  4. Skip treated me like a son and now that I think back, he treated everyone like a son or daughter.

    For all of you who think there is some kind of a conspiracy remember, that statistically, people die. It happens to the entire population as a whole.

    I will miss Skip.

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  5. Miami Dade has lost another true "gentle" jurist. I first met Skip when I first jumped into the Group 60 race for Circuit Court Judge in 1994. I learned from Skip and Peter Lopez judicial campaigns could not only be civil but they could even be friendly. Judge Gross never had a negative word to say and he epitomized everything that a Judge should be.

    He greeted everyone at on the steps of the Lawton Courthouse and it is hard to imagine those steps in the morning without his cheerful disposition. He was a generous, cheerful individual that loved his job; his colleagues and his community.

    My thoughts and prayers go out to his wife and to his family. This community has lost another one of its shining stars.

    Judge Andrew S. Hague

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  6. just saw him the other day and walked with him from the coffee shop across the street into the civil courthouse. what a nice ,decent and humble man.

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  7. A True Mensch. A Nice Guy who was courteous and respectfull to all. A good Example Judicial Behavior at its best.
    DS

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  8. I have a similar situation. Can be discussed.

    Ben.

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  9. Skip was everything you wanted in a judge, and he will be missed.

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  10. To Judge Andrew Hague,

    Your comments are very appreciated. Thank you

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  11. It's hard to find anyone who would say a bad word about Skip.

    I think we recently lost two of the best and nicest judges we had.

    Skip and Rob.

    I will miss you guys!

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  12. Carlos Martinez will not seek re election next term.

    Who will run?

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  13. Out of respect for Judge Gross I am not posting football picks on the front page. David picks GB +2 and I am giving him the points, taking the Falcons. -2.


    The Steeler/Raven game will NOT be close.

    Tomorrow I like the Seahawks. Can't force myself to pick the cheaters so I'm staying away.

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  14. Good call on the Steelers game.

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  15. I did not know Judge Gross but I remember walking to 73 West Flagler and seeing him in front of the Family Court building in shirt sleeves smoking a cigarette (I think) and chatting with people. Thought it was very odd but in a nostalgic way, sort of a throwback to another era.

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  16. Rumpy, Skip the football posts today as it would be a gross mistake to do so.

    Skip would have liked that joke.

    We'll miss ya Skip.

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  17. Rumpole, you are wrong on all counts. Green Bay won big, the Steelers/Ravens game was very close, and Seattle lost.

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  18. Rumpole:

    I hope your not betting real money on these football games. Atlanta and Seattle were not exactly big earners this weekend, unless you were betting against them.

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