Kenny Ross was running a small used car lot in Philadelphia when he learned there was a Chevrolet dealership for sale on Pittsburgh’s North Side.
The year was 1953 and Mr. Ross, then 26, hustled across the state with his wife, Claire, and his 1-year-old son for the chance to buy it.
Eventually that single dealership grew to 10 locations and the Kenny Ross Automotive Group became the largest auto sales businesses and one of the biggest private companies in the Pittsburgh region.
Regardless of whether they bought his cars, Pittsburghers for decades recognized his name from a long-running series of newspaper ads and TV commercials that featured the outspoken Aunt Penny.
The white-haired, trademarked character -- who wasn’t really his aunt but whom his family said always remained an inspiration to the company -- whipped up elderberry jelly and told viewers, “You always get plenny from Kenny,” and “Tell them Aunt Penny sent you.”
Mr. Ross, who in addition to running his dealerships was a real estate developer, co-founder of the Pittsburgh chapter of the Big Brothers Big Sisters charity, and an accomplished harness racing driver, died Friday after a brief illness.
He was 90 and lived in Squirrel Hill.
“He dropped everything in Philadelphia to come to Pittsburgh,” said his son, Jim Ross of Squirrel Hill, who now chairs the company that is based in North Huntingdon.
When he bought his first dealership here, his son said, Mr. Ross was among the youngest Chevrolet dealers in the country.
By the time New York private equity group GPB Capital acquired a majority stake in the company in June, the business had expanded to include franchises for Ford, Nissan, Subaru, GMC, Mazda and Toyota. Revenues were close to $700 million last year, and it employs more than 700.
Even after Mr. Ross retired from day-to-day management in the 1970s, he remained closely involved with the company.
“He never stopped paying attention to it,” said Jim Ross. “His title was ‘The King,’ and he had an innate sense of how things were going in the business whether he was there or not.”
Stepping away from the car business gave him time for other pursuits.
He launched Ross Development Co., which is based in Shadyside and is run by another son, Tony Ross of Squirrel Hill.
The company built dealerships and facilities for the Kenny Ross Automotive Group as well as office and retail properties in the city and suburbs.
“It wouldn’t be unusual to find Dad on a job site at 6 a.m.,” said Jim Ross.
Despite his business success, his sons said, he was proudest of helping to start the local affiliate of Big Brothers Big Sisters in 1965. The nonprofit provides mentoring for at-risk boys and girls, and Mr. Ross had a personal connection.
“He came from modest circumstances and as a youngster in Philadelphia was prone to getting in trouble,” said Jim Ross. “He became a ‘little brother’ there and he felt it changed his life incredibly.”
He also spent years as a professional harness racing driver and a trotting horse owner.
A horse in which he had a majority ownership, Tom Ridge, was named for the former Pennsylvania governor who was Mr. Ross’ close friend.
That horse was favored to win the prestigious Hambletonian Stakes in 2004. Held at the Meadowlands in New Jersey, the Hambletonian is the first event in the annual Triple Crown of Harness Racing.
After leading for part of the race, the horse was outpaced and failed to place.
A few weeks later, though, Tom Ridge set a world record time at the World Trotting Derby in Illinois.
In addition to his sons, survivors include a daughter, Joanne Simon of Squirrel HIll; a sister, Flora Wenick of Philadelphia; eight grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
Visitation is from 11 a.m. to noon Sunday at the Ralph Schugar Chapel, 5509 Centre Ave., Shadyside, followed by the funeral at noon.
Memorial contributions may be made to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Pittsburgh, 5989 Centre Ave., Suite 1, Pittsburgh PA 15206.
Joyce Gannon: jgannon@post-gazette.com or 412-263-1580.
First Published: December 2, 2017, 5:00 a.m.
