Ross George Brown

August 18, 1937 - March 24, 2023
In Loving Memory ~
On Friday, March 24, 2023, Ross passed away at Arrowsmith Lodge in Parksville, BC. All his children and his wife were able to be there to say their goodbyes.
Ross was predeceased by his 1st wife, MaryGrace Brown (Brathwaite) in 1975.
Ross was born in Winnipeg, MB, an only child with a large extended family. The family were all musical and the many big family gatherings always involved lots of music, he played guitar, organ and piano and love to tell of how his grandfather had played at the Grand Ole Opry.
He was very involved in sport from a young age, competing in hockey, baseball, football, cross country skiing, continuing through his early 20's adding curling, bowling and golf.
He drove his own highway trucks across the prairie in his late teens, early twenties, selling the trucks when he married. With the arrival of 3 children he was working with Wire Rope Industries out of Winnipeg. Rising quickly through the company. A transfer to Saskatoon then next onto Nanaimo.
With the loss of MaryGrace not long after they settled in Nanaimo he was raising 3 kids and running a company when he met Donna, they were married shortly thereafter and increased the family to 3 boys and 2 girls. He eventually went to WrightsRope (Greenheart) then when they amalgamated he was with Wire Rope Industries where he was International Sales manager, giving him the opportunity to travel to AustralAsia, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, South America, Norway, the US and of course across Canada.
When he retired...not liking retirement, he joined Western Equipment developing and promoting swaged wire rope.
As the kids grew up, Ross was very supportive of all their activities, be it coaching hockey, baseball, softball and fastball. If not coaching he was on the sidelines cheering them on... even at the pool for competitive and synchronized swimming! And lots and lots of driving to get to all the pools, fields and arenas. In later years he and son Scott became a recognizable duo out on the courses playing golf.
When children brought grandchildren and now great-grandchildren, Ross was in his element. He loved family life.
He leaves behind Donna (Evans) in their 46th year; sons Mark (Brenda), Scott, and Grant (Shannon); daughters Leanne (Wayne) and Laurie; Grands, Jordie (Jenna), Kayleigh (Dzemal), Zoe, Cassidy (Dylan) Taylor and Caleb; and Greats, Fey, Lincoln, James, Mina and # 5 arriving in August.
We will be celebrating Ross' life on Saturday, April 15th at 11 am at Sands Funeral Chapel in Nanaimo.