Obituary for Kirk Alexander Ross
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the unexpected passing of Kirk Alexander Ross on Sunday January 8, 2023. Kirk was born in Port Arthur, Ontario to Alec and Ruth Ross (née Maycock) on April 4, 1963. Along with his brother and two sisters, he was raised in Thunder Bay and Shuniah, Ontario. He attended Hillcrest High School followed by Confederation College, where he met the love of his life, Geralyn.
After completing college, Kirk worked with his father in the family business (A&R Ross Products Ltd) for several years where he then took over and ran the business successfully for over 25 years until his retirement in October 2018. After retirement, Kirk put his passion and diverse skills into renovating the family camp on Lake Superior which was to be their retirement home.
Kirk was a man with many interests and hobbies, from fishing in the summer to skiing in the winter. He loved to sail with his family and friends on the family sailboat, “Forever”, across Lake Superior from Thompson Island, to Isle Royale, to along the North Shore. On these trips, he would always be adamant to go hiking and exploring the area with his kids at every opportunity.
From ski racing in his youth, Kirk was an excellent downhill skier and enjoyed many ski adventures with family and friends to the Rocky Mountains and Lutsen. Kirk belonged to two fishing clubs where he would spend many weekends fishing with his family and friends. Later in his life, he enjoyed bicycling with his wife along McKenzie Beach Road, completing two cycling tours around the Keweenaw Peninsula with Geralyn and their close family friend Anna Marie.
Kirk loved to travel and over the last 3 decades, had travelled on family vacations and scuba diving excursions to many Caribbean Islands and numerous places in Mexico. Kirk and his wife completed their European dream trip over the course of three wonderful weeks. With his mother Ruth being an avid snowbird and his sister Trudy living in San Jose, CA, he enjoyed many road trips across the States to visit family and accompany Ruth to her winter destination.
He was an active member in the community serving with the Rotary Club of Thunder Bay and on the Eco Superior board. He was a wealth of knowledge and a down-to-earth man, always giving generously of his many talents and skills by helping family and friends with any building and repair projects. Whenever they were in need, Kirk would always lend a helping hand without any hesitation. Of all Kirk’s interests and loves, family was most important.
Kirk will be lovingly remembered and deeply missed by his loving wife of 35 years, Geralyn (née Payette); son Alexander (Terry Duffy), daughter Victoria (Alexander) Gerolami, mother Ruth Ross, sisters Trudy (Bruce) Jones, Margot Ross, brother Michael (Kimberley) Ross, sisters and brothers in law Catherine Ann (Jim) McLaughlin, Joan Girard, Christa Payette, Nancy (Walter) Boni, Shirley da Silva, Carolyn (Brian Pellizzari), as well as numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was predeceased by his father Alec, parents-in-law Ernest and Helen Payette, brothers-in-law Nelson da Silva and James Payette, and close family friend Cyd Hansen (Martineau).
At his wishes, cremation has taken place and a memorial service will be held at 11 AM on Friday January 13, 2023, at the Chapel of Sargent & Son Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, a donation to the charity of your choice would be appreciated.
After completing college, Kirk worked with his father in the family business (A&R Ross Products Ltd) for several years where he then took over and ran the business successfully for over 25 years until his retirement in October 2018. After retirement, Kirk put his passion and diverse skills into renovating the family camp on Lake Superior which was to be their retirement home.
Kirk was a man with many interests and hobbies, from fishing in the summer to skiing in the winter. He loved to sail with his family and friends on the family sailboat, “Forever”, across Lake Superior from Thompson Island, to Isle Royale, to along the North Shore. On these trips, he would always be adamant to go hiking and exploring the area with his kids at every opportunity.
From ski racing in his youth, Kirk was an excellent downhill skier and enjoyed many ski adventures with family and friends to the Rocky Mountains and Lutsen. Kirk belonged to two fishing clubs where he would spend many weekends fishing with his family and friends. Later in his life, he enjoyed bicycling with his wife along McKenzie Beach Road, completing two cycling tours around the Keweenaw Peninsula with Geralyn and their close family friend Anna Marie.
Kirk loved to travel and over the last 3 decades, had travelled on family vacations and scuba diving excursions to many Caribbean Islands and numerous places in Mexico. Kirk and his wife completed their European dream trip over the course of three wonderful weeks. With his mother Ruth being an avid snowbird and his sister Trudy living in San Jose, CA, he enjoyed many road trips across the States to visit family and accompany Ruth to her winter destination.
He was an active member in the community serving with the Rotary Club of Thunder Bay and on the Eco Superior board. He was a wealth of knowledge and a down-to-earth man, always giving generously of his many talents and skills by helping family and friends with any building and repair projects. Whenever they were in need, Kirk would always lend a helping hand without any hesitation. Of all Kirk’s interests and loves, family was most important.
Kirk will be lovingly remembered and deeply missed by his loving wife of 35 years, Geralyn (née Payette); son Alexander (Terry Duffy), daughter Victoria (Alexander) Gerolami, mother Ruth Ross, sisters Trudy (Bruce) Jones, Margot Ross, brother Michael (Kimberley) Ross, sisters and brothers in law Catherine Ann (Jim) McLaughlin, Joan Girard, Christa Payette, Nancy (Walter) Boni, Shirley da Silva, Carolyn (Brian Pellizzari), as well as numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was predeceased by his father Alec, parents-in-law Ernest and Helen Payette, brothers-in-law Nelson da Silva and James Payette, and close family friend Cyd Hansen (Martineau).
At his wishes, cremation has taken place and a memorial service will be held at 11 AM on Friday January 13, 2023, at the Chapel of Sargent & Son Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, a donation to the charity of your choice would be appreciated.