Passed away on Tuesday, May 1, 2018 at Wellington Hospice, Guelph, in his 89th year. He is survived by his wife Noël (nee Thompson); his daughters Joanne Thomson Locke (Stephen), Christine Thomson (David McCorquodale), Karen Fracassi (Romeo), Sarah Gooding (Ted); and eight grandchildren; Jeff and Daniel Locke, Megan and Eric McCorquodale, Paul and Katie Beaton, Alison and Ian Gooding. He was the dear brother of Katharine Martin (the late Paul), step brother of Kenneth Balchin (Sheilah), brother-in-law to Roger Thompson (Ana) and uncle to many nieces and nephews. He will be greatly missed and fondly remembered by his family and friends for his generosity, humor, love of music and penchant for story telling .
Born and raised in Montreal, Ross graduated from Carleton University in 1954. He headed the Canadian Wood Council’s Fire Research Department for 23 years, retiring as Vice-President Codes & Standards. A life-member of the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) since 1965, serving as Chairman of the Board of Directors in 1994. Ross was a Fellow of ASTM, the Society of Fire Protection Engineers (SFPA) and the Australian Institute of Building Surveyors. He was the first Master of Royal City Daylight Lodge No. 742, A.F. & A. M., a life-member of Guelph Lodge No. 258, Meridian Lodge No. 182 (Winnipeg) and Civil Service Lodge No. 148 (Past Master), and PDDGM of Ottawa District 1. In retirement, he followed his passion for music by playing his brass intruments in several bands and singing in local choirs.
The family will be pleased to receive friends at GILCHRIST CHAPEL – McIntyre & Wilkie Funeral Home, One Delhi St, Guelph on Monday, May 7 from 2 – 4 and 6 – 8 p.m. with an open Masonic Service at 7 p.m. A Celebration of Life will be held at the Elliott Community Chapel, 170 Metcalfe St, Guelph on Tuesday, May 8, 2018 at 2:30 p.m. Cremation has taken place with interment at Pine Hill Cemetery, Magog, Quebec at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to the N.R. Richards Masonic Bursary Fund, 21 Chapel Lane, Guelph N1H 2N4, Hospice Wellington or the charity of your choice.