March 1942 - May 2021
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing the James Donald Ross at his beloved Millarville home, surrounded by his family. Jim’s battle with mesothelioma was brief, but fiercely fought and reflected his strength of character, which marked him at the end and throughout his life.
Jim was born in St. Boniface, Manitoba and grew up in South Transcona where his sense of adventure and love of machinery took hold. Jim attended South Transcona schools until grade eleven when he crossed the tracks to TCI. It was there that he endured school, cultivated life-long friendships and his natural athleticism saw him shine on the football field playing for the infamous Transcona Nationals. After completing high school and stringing wire in -30-degree weather as an apprentice electrician, education seemed more attractive.
The University of North Dakota in Grand Forks, beckoned. There he completed a degree in Petroleum Geology and the boy who hated school continued to a master’s program where he completed a geological survey of the Kananaskis area as his thesis project. In 1968, with his high school sweetheart, Gill, now wife, loaded up their 1966 Mustang Fastback and headed for Alberta, where Jim had been hired as a Junior Geologist with Amerada Minerals. Thus began his decades long career in the Calgary Oil and Gas Industry.
It was the love of country living that led him to purchase an acreage in Millarville in 1970, where he and Gill welcomed their two daughters Alison and Lesley. Jim as their greatest supporter, encouraged and shared in their many pursuits as horse wrangler, swim and ski instructor and fastball coach. He embraced the community spending countless hours volunteering, serving as a Director and President of the Millarville Racing and Agricultural Society.
Jim was a man of many interests. His love of motorcycles was paramount. He spent many hours rebuilding vintage machines. He was a long-time member of the Canadian Vintage Motorcycle Group, Rocky Mountain Division and was instrumental in establishing the September Motorcycle Swap Meet, which has grown to one of the largest in Canada. Another of his interests were Allis-Chalmers tractors, persian-orange becoming Jim’s favorite color. At home, when he wasn’t tinkering in the garage with bikes or tractors, Jim could be found penning letters to the editor of the Calgary Sun, cooking his famous spaghetti, reading up on military history, and on summer days at precisely 4:00 pm he could be found with a newspaper, his border collie Lucy and freshly made ceasar, sitting poolside in the backyard, enjoying his surroundings. On many occasions, his grandchildren would join him, always reminded of Grandpa’s #1 Rule: “Don’t splash Grandpa!”
Jim will forever be remembered by his honorable and humble ability to challenge the status quo, never compromising, or wavering to do the right thing. He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather and friend who will be dearly missed by those who knew not only his talents and quirks, but his teddy bear heart.
Jim is survived by his wife Gillian, daughters Alison (Chris) Albert, and Lesley (Patrick) Roelofsen. He is predeceased by his granddaughter Thea and leaves behind grandchildren, James and Michael Albert and Brynn Roelofsen. Jim will also be greatly missed by sister Sue Quinn and extended family and friends.
Jim’s family is grateful for the support from the Venerable Alan Getty and care and compassion shown Jim from the home care nursing team at Oilfields General Hospital, with special thanks to Leslie and Pattie.
A celebration of Jim’s life will be held when COVID allows. An internment at Christ Church Millarville will be planned for late June.
“Bye for Now…”
To express condolences please visit www.snodgrassfuneralhomes.com Arrangements in care of Snodgrass Funeral Homes Ltd. (High River) 403 652 2222.
