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ROSS, Ian Sutherland
ROSS, Ian Sutherland - 84, Caribou, Pictou Co. It is with deep sadness
that we announce the passing of Ian Ross on Friday, April 4, 2008, with
his family at his bedside. Born December 9, 1923, in Westville, Ian was
the son of the late Thomas Ross and Minnie C. (Sutherland) Ross. While Ian
had a full and remarkable life, from being a veteran of the Second World
War and the battle of the Atlantic, to running his own business and
volunteering his time to numerous community organizations and
associations, his greatest passion was his family and the many friends he
made wherever he went. Ian began his career in the late 1950s at the
Ferguson Shipyards in Pictou. In January 1942, he, along with several
close friends from Westville and Stellarton, joined the Royal Canadian
Navy. After training as a shipwright in Toronto, Cornwallis and the navy
Dockyard in Halifax, Ian sailed the waters of the North Atlantic, first
aboard HMCS Kokanee (frigate stationed out of St. John's), and later as
chief shipwright aboard HMCS Middlesex (minesweeper stationed out of
Halifax). After the war, Ian returned to Westville and worked for
Sutherland and Higgins Garage and Service Station. In 1951, Ian took over
a Texaco service station on Foord Street in Stellarton and expanded his
business in 1962 by starting a home heating fuel delivery service. In 1971
he left the service station and took over management of the Texaco bulk
plant in New Glasgow while continuing his fuel delivery business. Ian
retired from Ian Ross Services Ltd. in 1987. Ian belonged to the New
Glasgow Rotary Club, the Royal Canadian Legion, the Independent Order of
Oddfellows, and was a very active member in the Masonic Order. Ian was
past master of Western Star Lodge No. 50 in Westville, and past district
deputy grand master for Pictou County. He was also a member of the
Scottish rite and the Shriners. From a young age Ian became a prolific
marksman. He joined the Pictou County Military Rifle Association and
competed at many local and provincial events, and later went on to be a
founding member of the Pictou County Trap and Skeet Club where he found
his forte with trap shooting. Ian competed and won many awards at the
local, provincial and national level. He was chair of the Town of
Stellarton's Centennial Celebrations in 1989, and received Provincial
recognition for his exceptional volunteer service. Most recently, Ian
along with fellow members of the Admiral Murray Royal Canadian Naval
Association, received recognition from the Navy and the Halifax Regional
Municipality for their role in restoring and presenting a centennial
plaque. Along his journey through life, Ian made many friends. He could
travel far and wide and always run into someone he knew. He was a caring
and honest individual who would never be afraid to let you know his
opinion, but would always be interested in the opinion of others. He had a
keen sense of humour, and reveled in kidding or tormenting his friends.
Above all else, Ian loved and cared for his family. He was very proud of
his favorite granddaughter, Crystal, and his favorite grandson, Thomas,
playing Santa to both of them for many years, and teaching them the two
types of good. He was a wonderful dad to his son, David and
daughter-in-law, Brenda. But more than anything, Ian was a loving and
dedicated husband to his wife of 56 years, Velma (Weir) Ross. Ian will be
missed but long remembered. Cremation to take place. The family will
receive visitors from 3-5 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. Wednesday in the H.C.
MacQuarrie Funeral Home, Stellarton. Western Star Lodge # 50 will hold a
Masonic memorial service at 6:30 pm Wednesday at the H.C. MacQuarrie
funeral home. A memorial service will be held 11 a.m. Thursday from the
H.W. Angus Funeral Home Chapel, New Glasgow with Rev. Charles MacPherson
officiating. Burial of ashes will take place in Heatherdale Memorial
Gardens, Alma. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Ian may be made
to the Victorian Order of Nurses or to any charity. |
