Robert Junior 'Bob' Ross

April 5, 1931 - May 24, 2022
Robert J Ross passed away peacefully on May 24, 2022 at the Cottage Pavilion in Abbotsford, B.C. He was born in Aldergrove to Robert Raymond (Ray) Ross and Edith Grace Ellingsen and moved to Abbotsford at the age of three, the fourth of five children. He was predeceased by his parents and his siblings, Walter (Fae) Ross, Baby Gloria, Delores (Al) Masse, and Wayne (June) Ross.
Robert attended Abbotsford Elementary School and later Philip Sheffield High School where he made many life-long friends.
Robert married his high school sweetheart Helen Ruth White in 1949. They were married for nearly 63 years before Helen passed away in 2012. The oldest of their six children, Dennis Ross passed away in 2011 and son-in-law Hans Visser in 2021.
He is survived by his sister-in-law June Ross and his children Marilyn (Harvey) Goodwin, Elaine Visser, Donna (Robert) Simpson, Shirley (Ken) Jansen and Darrell (Ruth) Ross and their families.
Grandchildren: Michelle (Mike) Appeldoorn, Mark Goodwin, Tiffany (Ryan) Visser Biela, Sheldon (Michelle) Visser, Denise (Brad) Blades, Wendy (Brian Neufeld) Simpson, Darren (Amanda) Simpson, Kirk (Sheena) Jansen, Ryan (Caitlin) Ross, Clayton (Jessica) Ross.
Great grandchildren: Kurtis (Hailey) Appeldoorn, Tyson (Becca VanGinkel) Appeldoorn, Krystal and Allison Appeldoorn, Wyatt Goodwin, Keegan and Linley Biela, Brayden and Cole Blades, Shaelee and Chase Dombrowski, Blake and Landon Simpson. Preston, Alianna and Alexia Jansen, Oaklynn, Rowen and Isla Ross. Great-great Grandson: Willem Appeldoorn
Dad was part of a very large extended family and enjoyed spending time with his siblings, their spouses and many nieces, nephews and cousins. Great memories were made with the Ross, Masse, Johnson, Thompson, Gibb and Chevalley families.
As a young man he played violin in a band called The Playboys with his sister Delores and he and mom loved to go dancing with friends at the various halls in the Fraser Valley and Washington.
Dad worked at his family's business Model Motors in downtown Abbotsford and became a partner with his brother Walter after their father Ray died suddenly at age 51. Brother Wayne joined them later.
The garage was the Dodge/Desoto dealership and later the Chrysler, Valiant and Dodge dealership. They also became the first Volkswagen dealership in Abbotsford. Robert was sales manager at Mid-Valley Dodge and also sold cars for Abbotsford Chrysler.
Bob drove school bus for the Abbotsford School District for 26 years and retired in 1996.
Community service was important to Dad. He served as a councillor for the District of Sumas and for the District of Abbotsford. He was a member of The Royal Canadian Legion Abbotsford Branch #15 and served as a member of the Westminster Regiment army reserves in the late 1940's. Robert was a member of the Abbotsford Curling Club, Past president of the Abbotsford Kiwanis and served for many years on the board of the MSA Pioneers. Both Bob and Helen were born to Pioneer families from the Fraser Valley.
Dad was a kind and loving husband, brother and father and a good friend to many. He had a great sense of humor and enjoyed socializing. Striped engineer coveralls became his trademark outfit.
Robert enjoyed family vacations at Birch Bay and the Okanagan and Motor home trips to various locations in B.C. and the U.S.
The family would like to thank the many healthcare workers and first responders who assisted dad in the past few years, the caregivers who made it possible for him to stay in his home and the staff at the Cottage Pavilion for their care and compassion during the last seven months.
A celebration of life will be held on Sunday, August 14, 1:00 P.M. at the Matsqui Community Hall, 33676 St. Olaf Street, Abbotsford.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Huntington Society of Canada, 20 Erb Street West, Suite 801, Waterloo, ON, N2L 1T2