In keeping with his wishes, cremation has taken place. Visitation will be held on Sunday, October 30th from 1:00 to 1:45 p.m. at the Masonic Centre of Elgin, 42703 Fruit Ridge Line, St. Thomas, with the service to celebrate Ross’s life to follow at 2:00 p.m. Private interment will be made in Hunter Cemetery, Lake Line, Southwold Twp. at a later date.
So very sorry to hear of Ross’s passing. Always enjoyed seeing Ross and speaking a few words with him. I always marvelled at Ross’s strength and ability to overcome any obstacle. Sandy, Carole and Stevie you’re in our thoughts and prayers.
Donna, Shawn and Wanda Caughell
We will always remember Ross as the kind and friendly truck driver who delivered grain into the elevator, always willing to go the extra mile for his customers. He will be missed.
Ray & Dianne Beattie
Sandy Eric Steven and Shannon,
So very sorry to hear of your Dads passing Sandy. Sounds like he was was a pretty amazing Man. Pete and I sending our Deepest Condolences. Thoughts and Prayers are with You All in these difficult times.
Kim & Pete
Dear Sandy,
We are so sorry to hear about the passing of your Dad. He was blessed to have you as a daughter. You are in our thoughts during this difficult time.
Peace and prayers,
Jay, Elizabeth, Emily, Carson, Ian, and Ben Burtwistle
Q: What will you never forget about Ross C.?
A: While the last couple years were not the greatest with COVID having such a negative impact with being able to visit, I actually felt that it drove a tighter relationship with Ross. As a son-in-law, it can always be interesting but visiting him in the cold winter for window visits, making snowmen outside and riding my bike to visit him were always highlights. As a family we went there every Sunday morning and talked about food and what we were doing. Those window visits were never what we all wanted but we know how they made his day. Helping Sandy plan on sneaking in food, cookies, pop and even rum were all great memories. A memory I will never forget is practicing walking in the hospital cause we wanted him to break out. In the basement of the hospital walking back and forth were some great laughs and allowed Ross and I to collectively tease Sandy. Watching football in the common room while we both had naps were fantastic memories. Lastly watching the kids act out funny scenes and singing Christmas carols were awesome.
Those were the recent memories and those ones while not ideal were a constant reminder of family and how on Thanksgiving weekend we all made sure to come out and take him outside and shared a great homemade Turkey sandwich.
Memories in the past were also filled with some pretty interesting moments as he strove to teach me how to drive the tractor and help with the field work. One of the first times we were in the cab together and I was learning the basics he decided to jump out cause he had to go to the washroom. Well for those that remember the two wheels stretched out quite a ways and I was not 100% that he was going to clear the wheels. Spoiler alert he did obviously but what a story that would have had to have been. Lastly and staying with the same theme of safety was the cutting down of the poplar trees. Essentially there was a crane that held the tree while they cut it and I was on the tractor to hold it in place to lay it down nicely. Of course there is that one exception where the rope came loose and that tree swung. As I sat in the cab I saw this 80 ft poplar swing right by me in the cab only to see it begin to swing back straight at me. In that moment all I could think about was the Roadrunner and Coyote when it seemed like he was safe it came back. Luckily it all worked out but needless to say Ross taught me to stay alert on the farm.
Ross will be missed a lot.
Eric Berdan
