John ROSSMO

John Rossmo
1923 - 2015
It is with deepest sadness that we announce the passing of our Dad, Grandpa John and GG (great- grandpa). John Rossmo passed away at his final home on December 25, 2015. He made it home for Christmas!
John was the third child of five born to Mike and Mary Rossmo on January 21, 1923. His family lived across the street from the Sutherland Rail Yard, where his father worked his whole career. John loved the trains and always spoke fondly of the sound of the steam engines as they pulled into the station...fafafa, fafafafa.
John's inherent passion was driving, fixing and rebuilding vehicles. His first job was delivering for Midwest News Agency and in retirement, he was still "on the road again" moving new cars to other cities for two Saskatoon dealerships. He was 80 years old before he hung up his keys.
The many jobs and business ventures between his first and last, were varied, but always revolved around driving and vehicles. He was the proud owner of his beloved Rio semi-truck in the 40s. When he married Delphine Wiebe in July of 1950, he decided to park the big truck and stay close to home to help raise the six children that would arrive through the 50s and early 60s.
John's career always found him under a hood, rebuilding and painting a body after a wreck, or behind the wheel. He also ventured into business as a partner in Sutherland Auto Body and later owned the Gulf service station on the corner of Central and 108th Street. John's final job was as a contractor to Emco Plumbing delivering huge loads of pipe, water heaters and boiler units. He finally retired at the age of 67.
Retirement allowed John to slow down and smell the roses - quite literally. He was known in his neighborhood on Badger Street for his profusely blooming roses and his meticulously-kept corner lot.
His passion for vehicles was still alive and well in his retirement years and his final classic restoration wasn't his usual 20's Ford Model T or '35 McLaughlin Buick, but a '72 fire red Jaguar.
John's family was of utmost importance to him and he spent many years coaching and cheering at the endless games of baseball, football and hockey. His love of music was infectious, and the whole family inherited his passion. Many precious family memories revolve around sing-songs with Dad strumming his guitar and teaching us silly little songs. John was also quite proficient with his harmonica, and played Turkey in the Straw as recent as this past November!
It is impossible to capture John's colorful, creative and fully-lived life of 93 years in a few short paragraphs. He meant so much to so many - as a son, husband, father, grandfather, great- grandfather, uncle, employee, employer, neighbor and friend.
John was predeceased by his mom and dad, and all but one brother, Bill. He also lost his precious daughter, Patti at the age of 42. Left to remember this special man is his remaining five children and their families – Rod (Wendy) Rossmo of Regina; Spencer (Laura) Rossmo of Langley; Lana Rossmo and partner, Lorne Mischuk of Candle Lake, Lori (Dennis) Boley of Calgary and Dean Rossmo and fiance, Lori Whitlum of Vancouver, many nieces and nephews and the plethora of people he knew through the 93 years of his life, who were touched by his generous and caring spirit.
Join us as we will celebrate our Dad and his long life, well-lived on Tuesday, January 19, 2016 (2 days before Dad would have turned 93) at 11:00 a.m. Service is in the care of Acadia McKague's Funeral Centre, 915 Acadia Drive, Saskatoon. A light lunch will follow the service.