With profound sadness, the family of Walter Ross Smyth announce his passing on Tuesday, Nov.14, 2023, in his 87th year, at home with his wife Patricia by his side. Ross was born on March 25,1937 in Montreal to his parents Henry Lyall Ross and Irene (nee Hingston). During his growing years in Ottawa South, Ross attended Glebe Collegiate where he developed an affinity for athletics, including track and field, basketball and football. Combined with what would be a lifelong passion for literature and history, Ross enrolled in the Arts and Physical Education program at Queen’s University, where he attended from 1955-1958. Spurred on by a restless heart, Ross took a pause from his education to join survey parties in Northern Ontario, Labrador and the Arctic, following in his father’s footsteps. His adventures and stories from this period, including with the Department of Mines and Technical Surveys and the Polar Continental Shelf Project, were often shared, to the delight of his family. Following this period of adventure, Ross came to the realization that his passion lay in teaching and he attended Teacher’s College in Toronto (1964-65), where he met his future wife Patricia (nee Dart). They married in Haliburton on August 20, 1966 before settling in Burlington where they both began careers with the Halton Region Board of Education and started a family. In 1980, Ross accepted the position of Vice Principal at I. E. Weldon Secondary School, and the family moved to Lindsay, Ontario. Ross’ career with the Victoria County Board of Education would also include a Vice Principalship at Fenelon Falls Secondary School (1986-1989) and ultimately a return to Weldon as principal from 1989 until his retirement in 1996. Ross had been a passionate member of St. Paul’s Anglican Church, the Lindsay Boys and Girls Club and the Lindsay Optimist Club. Retirement had been full of travel, genealogy, writing, cottage time, and of course, his grandchildren. Ross is survived by his wife of 57 years Patricia, his children Heather (partner Noah) and Ian (Colleen) and the joys of his life, his four grandchildren: Ben, Laura, Katherine and James. He will be greatly missed by his brothers Dennis (Arlene), Bob (Jane) brother-in-law Bob Dart (Jane) and his many nieces and nephews. He will be fondly remembered by previous colleagues and friends across North America in the Airstream Club. We will all miss his wise advice, story-telling, and love of all things family.

Visitation will be held on Monday, November 20th from 2:00-4:00 pm and 6:00-8:00 pm. Service will be at St. Paul’s Anglican Church, Lindsay, Tuesday November 21st at 11:00 am followed by interment for family at Evergreen Cemetery, Haliburton.

If desired, memorial donations may be made to a charity of your choice.

Obituary for Ross Smyth