Browse the obituary of residing in the province of Ontario for funeral details
“I am a part of all that I have met;
Yet all experience is an arch wherethro’
Gleams that untravell’d world whose margin fades
For ever and forever when I move.
How dull it is to pause, to make an end,
To rust unburnish’d, not to shine in use!”
Ulysses, Alfred Lord Tennyson
Ross Pirie passed away peacefully on February 9th at 1pm at Sakura House in Woodstock. He had an incredible life, rich with faith, family, and friends. He lived according to his favorite quote given that he shone brightly in use. Affectionately known as Coach Ross, he was a sports coach (football/basketball) and an English/Phys-Ed teacher for 30 plus years and then volunteered with youth for 40 more during his 91.5 years of life. He was a wonderful husband, father, and leader, helping thousands of people through his coaching sports, teaching and ongoing service. It is not a coincidence that he passed away right after church on Sunday and a few hours before the Super Bowl… which he never missed.
He attended Waterloo Lutheran University (now Wilfred Laurier) where he earned his Bachelor of Arts degree. In Toronto, he received his teaching degree from Ontario College of Education. He was quickly recruited to teach and coach the baby boomers coming to high school at Woodstock Collegiate Institute. There he led many teams to victory and enjoyed teaching young people. He was known to be both physically fit and committed to his health. He had a green thumb in the garden, with bumper crops of flowers and vegetables. Children and animals loved to play with him because he lived in the moment, liked to have fun, and always offered encouraging words.
Ross was a man of faith. His mother Emily was sure that he was brushed with angels’ wings when he was born weighing only 5 pounds. There is evidence that his life was filled with faith, wonder, and miracles. Even in death, those angels brushed him with their peace once again. He attended church regularly because he loved fellowship and to read and study his bible. He cherished the decades he spent working with children’s ministries, prayer groups, bible studies, Youth for Christ (30 years) and the Daystar housing project. Late in life, his men’s breakfast gathering called “the tacklebox” and his Innerkip church group were special places of love and connection. He gave to so many charities, you couldn’t possibly count them. He had a pure heart and a love that grew stronger as he aged.
Ross was the son of the late Emily and Jimmy Pirie in Guelph. Ross had an elder brother, late Don Pirie, a younger sister, late Pat Copeland, and a younger brother Wayne Pirie. He will be joining his beloved wife of 63 years, Grace, who passed away in January 2023. Daughter Laurie (Jim), son Jim (Lisa), daughter Heather (Duncan) and his six grandchildren, Emily (Peter), Thomas (Brit), Tanner (Victoria), Cole, Chloe and Ava, and his new great grandchild, Ebi Lou, will miss him more than words can express. His incredible attitude, his love of life and learning, his essence, his presence, and his lightness of being will live on in all of us always.
His celebration of life is at Life Church in Woodstock on Saturday March 22, 2025, at 2pm. The visitation will be at 1pm at the church prior to the service. Reception will follow.
Sunday February 9th 2025
Death notice for the town of: Woodstock, Province: Ontario
death notice Ross Alexander Pirie
obituaries notice Ross Alexander Pirie
We offer our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Ross Alexander Pirie and hope that their memory may be a source of comfort during this difficult time. Your thoughts and kind words are greatly appreciated.
