Obituary for Wayne Keith Ross
The family of Wayne Ross are heartbroken to announce his peaceful death surrounded by his loving family at his Frog Creek home on Friday, December 23, 2022, at the age of 75 years.
Wayne was born in London, England in 1947 to Alan and Joan Ross. Since his father worked in the armed forces, he and his family crossed the ocean to Canada several times before eventually settling in London, Ontario. Wayne had jobs since he could ride a bike and deliver tons of newspapers on the largest paper route in London. He soon learned that if he worked hard, he could buy all the go carts, cars, motorcycles, snowmachines and tractors that he wanted. As a 15-year-old, Wayne enrolled in the Junior Forest Ranger program using his older sister’s birthdate and travelled by train to Chapleau, Ontario for work. He was immediately taken by the outdoor life, work in the north and employment with the Ministry of Natural Resources. Wayne worked as a mechanic in London, Montreal, Thunder Bay but mostly in Fort Frances. He often spoke about the special friends that he met along the way at West End Motors and the Ministry. Oh how he loved his dream job of running the Maintenance Shop at the Ministry! He wanted that job so badly that he often stopped at the Ministry on Monday lunch hour in the early 80’s with his hair neatly brushed and a clean shirt too. He was absolutely thrilled when he secured his spot at the Ministry to look after vehicle maintenance, culvert cleaning, road building and anything else they needed for 10 great years.
Wayne met his wife, Diane in London, Ontario almost 50 years ago. Once Wayne heard that Diane’s family had a cabin on Wasaw Lake, and lived in Fort Frances his future was sealed. Following a few years in London and Thunder Bay, Fort Frances area has been our home. The rich family life on Frogcreek Road for the past 39 years has shown the true value of friends and fun in his idyllic setting with bush trails, outbuildings and all the space he needed for his toys and Kabota tractor. Top that off with hunting in the fall and memorable fishing days on Mainville and life was complete.
Wayne is lovingly survived by his wife (Diane), daughter (Jessica), son (Erik) and his great Labrador Retriever (Jake). He was so very proud of the wise, warm and loving adults his children have become. Their accomplishments in life because they worked hard were so special to him. His four grandsons (Connor and Owen Murphy, Wesley and Emmett Ross) brought much joy, pride and wonderful memories to his Papa days.
Family who predeceased him are his parents Alan Ross (2009), Joan Baker (2014), stepfather Gordon Baker (2013), and in-laws Lloyd Morrow (1990), Dorothy Morrow (2010), and brother-in-law Douglas Morrow (1972). Immediate surviving family members include Jessica (Ryan) Murphy with grandsons Connor and Owen Murphy, Erik (Jen) Ross, with grandsons Wesley and Emmett Ross. Additional surviving family include, step-mother Corrina Ross, sister Carole (Frank) Ross Bijlhouwer with Arend, Alicia and Ronald in the Netherlands and brother-in-law Lorne (Linda) Morrow with Ian, Jen and David.
Wayne and his family were always so thankful for the fun and kindness of friends over the years. If you were so lucky to have met Wayne you will remember his practical work ethic, his ability to fabricate and fix anything, his quick wit and his love of vehicles. While most people would remember the landmarks in their lives by the people they met, Wayne would remember the vehicle he was driving at the time of their meeting. A special note of appreciation to the stem cell donor and the Ottawa Hospital in 2018 who gave Wayne five more years of real living. We are forever thankful to Dr. Nugent and the Community Care Team who provided special kind and compassionate care at home in the last few months.
A celebration of Wayne’s life will be planned at a later date.
If desired, memorial donations may be made, by cheque, to the Lung Association, Canadian Cancer Society or the War Amps of Canada, in Wayne’s name, c/o Northridge Funeral Home, PO Box 89, Emo, Ontario POW 1EO.
Arrangements entrusted to Northridge Funeral Home
Wayne was born in London, England in 1947 to Alan and Joan Ross. Since his father worked in the armed forces, he and his family crossed the ocean to Canada several times before eventually settling in London, Ontario. Wayne had jobs since he could ride a bike and deliver tons of newspapers on the largest paper route in London. He soon learned that if he worked hard, he could buy all the go carts, cars, motorcycles, snowmachines and tractors that he wanted. As a 15-year-old, Wayne enrolled in the Junior Forest Ranger program using his older sister’s birthdate and travelled by train to Chapleau, Ontario for work. He was immediately taken by the outdoor life, work in the north and employment with the Ministry of Natural Resources. Wayne worked as a mechanic in London, Montreal, Thunder Bay but mostly in Fort Frances. He often spoke about the special friends that he met along the way at West End Motors and the Ministry. Oh how he loved his dream job of running the Maintenance Shop at the Ministry! He wanted that job so badly that he often stopped at the Ministry on Monday lunch hour in the early 80’s with his hair neatly brushed and a clean shirt too. He was absolutely thrilled when he secured his spot at the Ministry to look after vehicle maintenance, culvert cleaning, road building and anything else they needed for 10 great years.
Wayne met his wife, Diane in London, Ontario almost 50 years ago. Once Wayne heard that Diane’s family had a cabin on Wasaw Lake, and lived in Fort Frances his future was sealed. Following a few years in London and Thunder Bay, Fort Frances area has been our home. The rich family life on Frogcreek Road for the past 39 years has shown the true value of friends and fun in his idyllic setting with bush trails, outbuildings and all the space he needed for his toys and Kabota tractor. Top that off with hunting in the fall and memorable fishing days on Mainville and life was complete.
Wayne is lovingly survived by his wife (Diane), daughter (Jessica), son (Erik) and his great Labrador Retriever (Jake). He was so very proud of the wise, warm and loving adults his children have become. Their accomplishments in life because they worked hard were so special to him. His four grandsons (Connor and Owen Murphy, Wesley and Emmett Ross) brought much joy, pride and wonderful memories to his Papa days.
Family who predeceased him are his parents Alan Ross (2009), Joan Baker (2014), stepfather Gordon Baker (2013), and in-laws Lloyd Morrow (1990), Dorothy Morrow (2010), and brother-in-law Douglas Morrow (1972). Immediate surviving family members include Jessica (Ryan) Murphy with grandsons Connor and Owen Murphy, Erik (Jen) Ross, with grandsons Wesley and Emmett Ross. Additional surviving family include, step-mother Corrina Ross, sister Carole (Frank) Ross Bijlhouwer with Arend, Alicia and Ronald in the Netherlands and brother-in-law Lorne (Linda) Morrow with Ian, Jen and David.
Wayne and his family were always so thankful for the fun and kindness of friends over the years. If you were so lucky to have met Wayne you will remember his practical work ethic, his ability to fabricate and fix anything, his quick wit and his love of vehicles. While most people would remember the landmarks in their lives by the people they met, Wayne would remember the vehicle he was driving at the time of their meeting. A special note of appreciation to the stem cell donor and the Ottawa Hospital in 2018 who gave Wayne five more years of real living. We are forever thankful to Dr. Nugent and the Community Care Team who provided special kind and compassionate care at home in the last few months.
A celebration of Wayne’s life will be planned at a later date.
If desired, memorial donations may be made, by cheque, to the Lung Association, Canadian Cancer Society or the War Amps of Canada, in Wayne’s name, c/o Northridge Funeral Home, PO Box 89, Emo, Ontario POW 1EO.
Arrangements entrusted to Northridge Funeral Home