Obituary for Ross Lockhart Anderson
Ross passed away peacefully with his family by his side at LaVerendrye Hospital on December 27, 2019 at the age of 92.
Ross was born on August 27, 1927 in Stratton, Ontario to Robert and Hazel (Lockhart) Anderson. Ross grew up on a farm north of Stratton. He attended the Morley Central School and at the young age of 14 had to drop out of school to work on the family farm. Ross had a variety of occupations in his life; he was a logger, trucker, farmer, self-taught mechanic, carpenter, plumber, basically a “jack of all trades”. He even tried his hand at learning to play the violin. The one thing Ross was not known to have was patience; he had red hair and a quick temper; he was a quiet man with a very big heart. Ross is the third of seven children – Glenn Anderson, Joyce Dobson, Merle Kliner, Don Anderson, Allan Anderson, and Shirley Anderson.
On September 22, 1952 Ross married Francise Smits in Fort Frances at St. Mary’s Catholic Church. Ross and Fran made their home on a farm south of Stratton where they raised their family and farmed until their retirement in 1983. They were blessed with eight healthy children – Linda, Louise, Alex, Robert, Phyllis, Stan, Tom and Ellen.
Ross’ busy life on the farm did not leave him much time to develop hobbies. He enjoyed curling at the Stratton Curling Club for many years; was a member of the Recreation Club, elected councillor for the Morley Township and was involved in many farm organizations. Ross never said much but he was a deep thinker; when he did speak his children certainly listened!
After selling the farm Ross and Fran built a home along the Rainy River south of Stratton. For the next 25 years they spent their time travelling with their 5th wheel trailer – south to Arizona; north to Alaska; east to the Maritimes; west to Victoria; stopping at many places in between and making friends along the way. When the travelling days came to an end they enjoyed settling back into their life in Stratton – Senior’s club functions, fishing in the Rainy River, playing cribbage and cards, weekly trips to Fort Frances, dancing on Friday nights or simply being invited to their family’s homes for supper. Nothing Ross liked better than having one of his children drop by for a visit and coffee. In August 2018 they sold their home on the river and moved to Green Manor in Fort Frances.
Ross took great pride in his children’s accomplishments. He warmly welcomed son-in-laws, daughter-in-laws, grandchildren, and great grandchildren into the family. He was always ready to lend a helping hand or simply listen and only offered advice if asked otherwise he kept his thoughts to himself.
Ross will be lovingly remembered by his wife, Francise of 67 years. His children: Linda Pruys (Willie), Louise Pollard (Russell), Alex Anderson (Laurie), Robert Anderson (Jan), Phyllis Marsden (Tom), Stan Anderson (Anita), Tom Anderson (Judy), Ellen Caul (Allan); Twenty-two grandchildren, forty-three great grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild; his sisters, Merle Kliner (Robert) and Joyce Dobson, in-laws, Leone Anderson, Laura Dillon, Marie (Cliff) Cunningham, John (Julie) Smits, Anna (Lyle Busch), Leona (Jerry) Rucker, Jose Balcewich, Edith (Ken) Funk and numerous nieces and nephews.
Ross was predeceased by his granddaughters, Shawna Pynten (Pruys) and Amanda Marchuk, his sister, Shirley Anderson, brothers, Glen Anderson, Don Anderson, Allan Anderson and parents, Robert and Hazel Anderson.
The family would like to thank the doctors and staff at the Emo and Fort Frances hospitals for their loving care over the last few years.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a charity of your choice.
A memorial mass will be held on Friday January 3, 2019 at 11 a.m. at Our Lady of the Way Catholic Church in Pinewood with Father Thomas officiating.
The honourary pallbearers will be Ross’ grandchildren.
Interment will be at the Immaculate Conception cemetery in Stratton at a later date.
Following the service everyone is invited to join with family and friends for a luncheon at the Church.
“Dad, we hope you know how much we appreciated you and all that you’ve done for us through the years. We will miss you.”
Ross was born on August 27, 1927 in Stratton, Ontario to Robert and Hazel (Lockhart) Anderson. Ross grew up on a farm north of Stratton. He attended the Morley Central School and at the young age of 14 had to drop out of school to work on the family farm. Ross had a variety of occupations in his life; he was a logger, trucker, farmer, self-taught mechanic, carpenter, plumber, basically a “jack of all trades”. He even tried his hand at learning to play the violin. The one thing Ross was not known to have was patience; he had red hair and a quick temper; he was a quiet man with a very big heart. Ross is the third of seven children – Glenn Anderson, Joyce Dobson, Merle Kliner, Don Anderson, Allan Anderson, and Shirley Anderson.
On September 22, 1952 Ross married Francise Smits in Fort Frances at St. Mary’s Catholic Church. Ross and Fran made their home on a farm south of Stratton where they raised their family and farmed until their retirement in 1983. They were blessed with eight healthy children – Linda, Louise, Alex, Robert, Phyllis, Stan, Tom and Ellen.
Ross’ busy life on the farm did not leave him much time to develop hobbies. He enjoyed curling at the Stratton Curling Club for many years; was a member of the Recreation Club, elected councillor for the Morley Township and was involved in many farm organizations. Ross never said much but he was a deep thinker; when he did speak his children certainly listened!
After selling the farm Ross and Fran built a home along the Rainy River south of Stratton. For the next 25 years they spent their time travelling with their 5th wheel trailer – south to Arizona; north to Alaska; east to the Maritimes; west to Victoria; stopping at many places in between and making friends along the way. When the travelling days came to an end they enjoyed settling back into their life in Stratton – Senior’s club functions, fishing in the Rainy River, playing cribbage and cards, weekly trips to Fort Frances, dancing on Friday nights or simply being invited to their family’s homes for supper. Nothing Ross liked better than having one of his children drop by for a visit and coffee. In August 2018 they sold their home on the river and moved to Green Manor in Fort Frances.
Ross took great pride in his children’s accomplishments. He warmly welcomed son-in-laws, daughter-in-laws, grandchildren, and great grandchildren into the family. He was always ready to lend a helping hand or simply listen and only offered advice if asked otherwise he kept his thoughts to himself.
Ross will be lovingly remembered by his wife, Francise of 67 years. His children: Linda Pruys (Willie), Louise Pollard (Russell), Alex Anderson (Laurie), Robert Anderson (Jan), Phyllis Marsden (Tom), Stan Anderson (Anita), Tom Anderson (Judy), Ellen Caul (Allan); Twenty-two grandchildren, forty-three great grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild; his sisters, Merle Kliner (Robert) and Joyce Dobson, in-laws, Leone Anderson, Laura Dillon, Marie (Cliff) Cunningham, John (Julie) Smits, Anna (Lyle Busch), Leona (Jerry) Rucker, Jose Balcewich, Edith (Ken) Funk and numerous nieces and nephews.
Ross was predeceased by his granddaughters, Shawna Pynten (Pruys) and Amanda Marchuk, his sister, Shirley Anderson, brothers, Glen Anderson, Don Anderson, Allan Anderson and parents, Robert and Hazel Anderson.
The family would like to thank the doctors and staff at the Emo and Fort Frances hospitals for their loving care over the last few years.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a charity of your choice.
A memorial mass will be held on Friday January 3, 2019 at 11 a.m. at Our Lady of the Way Catholic Church in Pinewood with Father Thomas officiating.
The honourary pallbearers will be Ross’ grandchildren.
Interment will be at the Immaculate Conception cemetery in Stratton at a later date.
Following the service everyone is invited to join with family and friends for a luncheon at the Church.
“Dad, we hope you know how much we appreciated you and all that you’ve done for us through the years. We will miss you.”