Obituary of Ross Thomas Grieve

 

Canal Flats has lost their social butterfly and eldest living resident at the age of 98.

We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of our beloved patriarch, Ross Thomas Grieve on Saturday, March 8th 2025, at Cranbrook’s EK hospital. Ross remained positive, witty and charismatic as he looked forward to helping St Peter to open the pearly gates.

Ross is survived by his sister, Jeannie Yokoyama, daughters, Brenda Rudrum (Wayne), Valerie Langridge (Dave), Julie Carlson (Cleary), sons, Russel Grieve (Peggy Waterstreet), Bruce Grieve (Kathy) and many grand and great grandchildren, nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his wife Patricia Grieve, mother Blanche Grieve, father Tom Grieve, sister Alice Huss (Ed) and grandson, Jarret Rudrum.

Ross was born in the farmhouse of his parents, Thomas and Blanche Grieve on December 13th 1926 at Erie Lake BC.

As a young man, he worked endless hours on his parent’s dairy farm milking cows, horse logging, and making ties with a broadaxe.

He brought that hard work ethic to three different ranches, working with his uncle Jim Maxwell, in Saskatchewan and Alberta. He would disc the fields, do the fencing, break horses, and move cattle 18 miles to the stockyards during roundup.

Ross worked in Drayton Valley with his uncle Chuck Williams where they shingled roofs and built a hotel. Ross also worked a short time at Cominco in Trail until he got “leaded” and he declared “I'm getting outta here for good – but I’m a little heavy footed right now!”

Ross then went into the logging industry in the Fruitvale area. He worked as a faller and a bucker, did haul-back on a jammer and drove logging trucks.

All that hard work must have burned up a lot of energy. His daily lunch consisted of a whole loaf of bread, made into sandwiches, along with a variety of his favorite goodies, and at the end of the day, his bucket was always empty!

Ross married at 27, to Patricia Grieve (Larson) of Fruitvale BC and they had five children. They moved their family to Canal Flats in 1972. Ross continued his logging career in that area, till he had knee surgery at the age of 63. After that he joined his daughter Valerie, with maintenance and supervision, at White Swan Lake Provincial park until he retired.

Ross voluntarily surrendered his driver’s licence at the age of 92 but that never stopped him from getting around Canal Flats – he bought himself a new, hot red scooter and managed to avoid the radar traps as he socialized daily with all his pals in the community.

Hobbies

Ross loved carpentry and woodworking. He was a true perfectionist! “I dare any one to say that ain’t square!”

Ross loved fishing and hunting. You never needed to worry about a cart or a horse - he packed it all out himself!

Ross loved gardening. He had a real green thumb. You could be guaranteed you’d lose a bet with him, on how many buds were on any given tomato or rose bush.

Ross loved singing and playing the mouth organ. He could yodel better than a howling coyote under a full harvest moon.

Ross loved dancing. He had the smooth moves of Fred Astaire and could bring a Saturday night alive like John Travolta. A real live Duracell Bunny

Ross could not sit idle, so he volunteered endless time, along with Otto Hirscher, to build a new addition on the Canal Flats community hall.

In later years he volunteered his services to the whole neighborhood doing lawn and house maintenance and bucking up their firewood. Dad’s motto was simply “gitter done!”

Ross was an inspiration to everyone who knew him with his positive attitude, stellar values and morals, hard work ethic, and an unwavering zest for life. A life fully lived!

Ross will be deeply missed by his family, and our local community. To honor his legacy, we hope to bring as much joy, love and laughter to others as Ross has brought to so many throughout his long life.

Arrangements entrusted to McPherson Funeral Service. Condolences for the family can be offered at www.mcpherson.com. A celebration of life will be held at Canal Flats Community hall at a later date.

Special thank you to Russel Grieve and Peggy Waterstreet for giving Dad a beautiful home terrific meals, heartfelt love, care and support.

Our whole family would like to thank all of the homecare support workers, nurses and doctors for their genuine care and support during this difficult time. A special thanks to Dr Yue and Doctor Modan in Cranbrook.