In Loving Memory Of
Lawrence Ross
Lawrence George Ross passed away in Grande Prairie, AB, on Saturday, December 8, 2018, at the age of 89 years.
Lawrence was born July 31, 1929 in Camrose, AB, to Bennett “Ben” Lawrence and Maryanna “Mae” Ross at St. Mary Hospital.
Lawrence had two siblings: baby girl Ross, born in 1926, and his brother Bill, born in 1937. Lawrence and his brother were raised by their parents on a half section of land in Duhamel, AB, close to friends and relatives. Lawrence helped to build the family house, starting in 1941 with his father Bennett. They completed it together with the help of their friends and family, in 1944. In 1945, the family decided to move to British Columbia, and settled in Port Coquitlam.
Lawrence joined the Army in 1949 as an engineer, stationed in Ladner, BC. Lawrence was not sure he was meant to be in the army, so he resigned in 1952. In 1953, he rejoined the army as an engineer. This is also the year in which he met his loving wife, Agnes. He was away from home a lot with his post, serving in Korea (1954 – 1955), Egypt (1960 – 1961), and then in Gauge Town, NB, and Wainwright, AB. In 1965, he spent 6 months in Alert Bay, BC. After 21 long years of service, he retired as a Corporal in Chilliwack, BC, in 1972.
Lawrence and Agnes met in June 1953. Lawrence was living at home with his parents, and Agnes had just moved there with her sister Emma, to live with her maternal grandparents. She was working with other members of her family in the area. Lawrence knew Agnes’ family before he met her, as they had lived and worked in the same neighborhood. Her uncles Ron, Karl, and George had a love for motorcycles and the military, making their friendship with Lawrence quite easy. Lawrence and Agnes met at the Legion. Agnes was asked for her identification this night, and her younger sister was not. They found this rather humorous, because Agnes was the only one of age out of the two of them.
Agnes must have seen something great in Lawrence, because the next day there was a planned outing for them to all get together as a group. When an uncle picked Lawrence up, he had sat in the back seat alone. Before they had even left the driveway, Agnes had got into the back seat of the car to sit beside him. Suddenly, the uncles were curious, and started asking what his intentions were with their niece, as they had heard that she was corresponding with her other sisters, and that a wedding was going to be in her future. On August 15, 1953 they wed at his parents’ home in Port Coquitlam. They went on to share the births of their 5 children in the following 7 years after their union.
In 1972, Lawrence moved his family to Hope, BC, where he started Ross Propane. Ross Propane thrived until 1976. In 1975, Lawrence started Ross Trucking with his son David. David wanted to drive truck with his dad. They had 3 logging trucks at one time. When logging started to downturn in the Hope area, Lawrence and David came out to Grande Prairie in 1980, in order to start growing the business. Agnes followed soon afterwards, and they made a home in Wembley, AB.
Lawrence retired in 1992, and he and Agnes spent their time travelling across Canada, and Alaska together, carrying on their love story. In their travels they acquired a love for auctions and antiques. They built an impressive collection of antique oil lamps, and various other wares. In 2013, when Lawrence and Agnes moved to Wild Rose Manor, they dispersed their large antique and action collectibles throughout the family for memories sake.
Lawrence is survived by his children: David (Ines) Ross, Marjorie (Lawrence Wilson) Ash, Rosanna Ross, Roxanne (Henry Wong) Ross, and Robert Ross. 10 grandchildren, and 15 great-grandchildren. He will also be missed by his favorite ex-daughter in-Law Nancy Ross, and his cousin David Ross.
Lawrence was predeceased by his parents Ben in 1960, and Mae in 1968, Baby girl Ross in 1926, brother Bill in 1990, and his loving wife of 65 years, Agnes on October 29, 2018.
A special thank you to Doctor Autumn for her compassion and care during Lawrence’s last weeks, and the fulfillment of his wishes and needs. You are truly a kind soul.
Memorial donations may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society (200, 325, Manning Road, NE, Calgary, AB, T2E 2P5).
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Lawrence Ross July 31 1929 December 8 2018..
Décès pour la Ville: Grande-Prairie, Province: Alberta
