Percy Ross

{{Short description|American philanthropist (1916–2001)}}

{{Infobox person

| name = Percy Ross

| image =

| alt =

| caption =

| birth_name =

| birth_date = {{birth-date|November 22, 1916}}

| birth_place = Laurium, Michigan, U.S.

| death_date = {{Death date and age|2001|11|10|1916|11|22}}

| death_place = Edina, Minnesota

| other_names =

| occupation = Entrepreneur

| known_for = Philanthropy

}}

Percy Ross (November 22, 1916 – November 10, 2001) was an American multi-millionaire. He arrived in St. Louis Park, Minnesota around 1946–1947. He was associated with Ross and Ross Auctioneers. In 1959 he purchased a company called Poly-Tech, which made polyethylene plastic bags. He died in Edina, Minnesota on November 10, 2001.[http://www.mnhs.org/library/findaids/00980.xml Percy Ross Papers]

Ross was best known for his philanthropy, particularly through his Thanks a Million newspaper column, wherein he would often grant requests for readers in need. Thanks a Million ran in more than 800 publications for 17 years. It eventually became a syndicated radio show running on over 400 radio stations. From the column and shows, he gave away an estimated US$20 to $30 million over a period of 17 years.

Ross was born and raised in Laurium, Michigan, on the Keweenaw Peninsula of Michigan's upper peninsula, about 10 miles from Michigan Technological University.