R. WAYNE ROSS July 28, 1941 – September 16, 2011. Our beloved Wayne passed away in Palliative Care of the Vancouver General Hospital at 2:15a.m., September 16th, 2011. This admirable, trustworthy,
exceptionally reliable man will be forever in the hearts and memories of the love of his life and wife of 50 years, June, his treasured children,
son Marty, daughter-in-law Angela, daughter Kimberly and son-in-law Danny.
Papa has left a beautiful legacy in his exceptional, perfect grandchildren: Carson (19), Carter (16), Taylor (15), Cassidy (13), Carlin (9), Cardel (6), Brooklyn (4), and Ashley (1). Wayne is fondly remembered by his very supportive brother and great friend Robert Ross, wife Helen, sisters-in-law,
brothers-in-law and many, many adored nieces & nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. Suffered and pre-deceased
from the same disease that took Wayne’s life, Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency was his father, Raymond Robert Ross on
February 1, 1950 and his sister, Delores Mae Masse on July 6, 1975. Also predeceased, his beloved Mother, Edith Grace Ross, his eldest brother Walter
Ross, his nephew, Brian Ross and just this past May, his nephew Dennis Ross.
Wayne so respected and cherished his partners of Mc-Donald & Ross Const. Ltd., Mike McDonald & his wife Ann. What a special relationship they had over their 26 years in business with never even one disagreement. Their
enduring friendship and support are so appreciated. Tremendous memories as well
as they played ball on a team together.
One of Wayne’s grandsons asked Mike what was the number on their jerseys and
as that memory is gone, Mike’s appropriate answer was that they were so good, their jerseys were retired.
Wayne also played soccer for the Bradner Red Shirts with his forever friend Reid McDonald whom he had known
since they were five years old. Reid was from a family of 14; Wayne played at their house a lot as they were just down the street from where he lived
and was lined up with the rest of them when any punishment was to be meted out
to these young imps. At one point when asked his name, Wayne said he was Wayne
McDonald. Wayne had a host of very special friends, too many to put in
this column but as a family we would like to acknowledge Dr. Kevin Kaller, a kid who came to work on our farm a couple of summers. While attending the
University of Saskatchewan, and although Wayne wanted him to become an engineer, Kevin became a successful
orthodontist in Peterborough, Ontario, but has never left our hearts, and he flew from Ontario to be by Wayne’s bedside as he passed away. Wayne had lots of experience in life, first with the family garage, Model Motors on the
corner of Essendene and McCallum Roads, and then our greatest, best and luckiest
move to Short Road in May, 1968 where we had the ultimate fortune to reside next door to the wonderful family of Jack and Jean Robertson and their daughters Lorna and Barb who became our dearest friends. We were completely
surrounded by fun and love with the Short Road Gang, the Red Barn Association, 4H, Jr. Hereford Association and various types of farming
including raspberries, strawberries,
dairy and Registered Herefords under the name of Candy Cane Farm. Our
children were so fortunate to grow up in this environment and idyllic place.
Wayne worked for BC Hydro which became BC Gas where appropriately enough, Mike
McDonald was his supervisor and Wayne was a foreman. For a time Wayne owned a
backhoe and worked under the name Wayne’s Backhoe Service, hired on to BC Gas, but he preferred to run the job from the ground and so the backhoe was sold and he went back to BC Gas.
McDonald & Ross Construction was formed in 1985 and this became the focus
of Wayne’s life. The farming practice became a wholesale nursery now called Candy Cane Nursery also run by capable
and caring staff. Wayne was such a ‘people person’ that caused everyone
who knew him to love him. His terrific sense of humour, his sweetness laced with a touch of sarcasm, his great
smile, the twinkle in his eye, his sense of goodness and his value of a good and honest day’s work. We would like to acknowledge and thank Dr. Bill Dick who was our rock of support
including making many house calls to assist us in caring for Wayne. A great big thanks to George Heidebrecht (another ball player whose jersey was
retired) who took a leading role in assisting Dan and Mike in the leading of the business of McDonald & Ross during the time of Wayne’s illness.
Also Wayne took great solace in the knowledge that all of the staff of McDonald & Ross was representing the
company in their very best capacity
in his absence. He took great pleasure in giving them advice early each morning in the shop as they left for their various jobs. Our family is extremely grateful for the care and compassion of all the staff at Vancouver
General Hospital in the emergency, ICU and palliative care units. It was superb. A Celebration of Wayne’s life
will be held Sunday, October the 9th, 2- 5p.m. at The Ramada Conference Centre
located at 36035 North Parallel Road, Abbotsford at Exit 95 of Highway #1. In lieu of fl owers, donations can be sent to “The Happy Liver Society of BC” for “The Stacey House” at #720- 999
West Broadway, Vancouver, BC V5Z 1K5.
This home provides temporary
accommodation for liver transplant patients and their family members who must travel to Vancouver for a lifesaving liver transplant. The
Happy Liver Society of BC provides
for the rent and utilities of this suite. Our family would also encourage
you to register to be an Organ
Donor. This is easily done by calling 1-800-663-6189 or on line at www.transplant. bc.ca or at any London Drugs location.