Donald Robert Ross

1928 - 2022

It is with great sadness that our family announces the passing of Donald Robert Ross at the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre on Saturday, April 16th, 2022. He was 93. Born in Fort William on May 22, 1928, to Thomas and Lottie Ross, he grew up on Amelia Street and attended Francis St. School and Fort William Collegiate. Don started his career fixing cars and pumping gas at his father's Esso Service Station on Gore Street. With his strong work ethic, he expanded the family business and became a Petroleum Jobber for Petro Canada, establishing more than a dozen outlets across Northwestern Ontario.

Don met Verna (née Maijala) at a Saturday night dance at the Elks Lodge, where they waltzed and jived to the sound of the Roy Coran band. Don and Verna were married at First Presbyterian church in 1953 in front of a backdrop of multi-coloured daisies. They had three children: Clark, Cheryl, and Donna.

Don always loved sports and the outdoors and he enjoyed sharing these passions with others. In his youth, he taught children to ski as a volunteer instructor at the White Falcon Ski School. Later, as a member of the FW Curling Club, he skipped his way to winning many local and regional bonspiels, including the big Lakehead Bonspiel. His favourite partner in mixed curling, of course, was Verna – except when they lost.

Don found many years of happiness at his summer camp on Trout Lake in the company of family, friends and his beloved Kerry Blue Terriers. As a skilled angler, he taught Clark how to fish and they became lifelong fishing buddies. They enjoyed exploring, fishing, and hunting in the district. He also enjoyed fishing trips with his son-in-law Gary and grandson Ross to Sowden Lake. He made several trips to Baker Lake in the Arctic and always brought home a catch of Arctic Char. On Trout Lake, Don, Cheryl, and Donna enjoyed sailing and windsurfing together. He loved teaching family and friends how to waterski, windsurf and sail. When they got back to camp, there was always a cold pop or beer waiting for them in the faded red Coca-Cola cooler that Don kept as a souvenir of the family gas station after retirement.

Don had a lifelong love of travel and made his first trans-Atlantic voyage with his parents at age eight to visit his grandparents in Scotland. With Verna, he visited a dozen countries across Europe. They also drove a motorhome across North America looking for the perfect winter retreat. They eventually found it in San José Del Cabo, Mexico, where they bought a second home. Don took his family on countless adventures in Mexico, and he reveled in taking them to out-of-the-way villages, taco stands and beaches. He collected many stories on his trips, including a close call with a musk ox while up north and with a bear in Yellowstone Park. Luckily, he was fast enough to outrun both.

Fittingly with the initials DR Ross, when a family member was not well, he quickly referred to his many health books and later Mr. Google on his iPad to suggest a diagnosis and remedy. As a devoted family man, Don always gave generously of his time and ensured that everyone enjoyed themselves. Spending time with family meant everything to him. Though he might strike a serious tone with adults, Papa's playful side always emerged in the presence of his children and grandkids.

Don will be lovingly remembered and dearly missed by his wife Verna and three children Clark (Laurie) Ross, Cheryl (Gary Armstrong) and Donna Ross. Grandchildren Dayna Armstrong (Geoffrey Vendeville), Ross Armstrong and Andre Pellerin, his sister Dorris Adams, of Nanaimo, BC as well as many nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to P.R.O. Kids, Canadian Wildlife Federation, or a charity of your choice. Cremation has taken place. As per Don's wishes, no service will be held.

We will all miss his big smile, entertaining stories and, most of all, his kind and loving heart. He was an exceptional, giving and generous man and lived life to the fullest.

Condolences may be made through
www.nwfainc.com