Lesley 'Louie' Joseph Howard Ross

With heavy hearts, we share the passing of, Louie, Lesley Joseph Howard Ross, born on March 6, 1956, in Regina, Saskatchewan, to Dolly and Joe Ross. Louie passed away peacefully on February 6, 2026, in Assiniboia, Saskatchewan, at the age of 69. He is predeceased by his parents, sister Valerie Cayer, brother-in-law Harvey Berner, father-in-law Russell Thurlow, nephews Mike Daymond, Scott Fletcher, Calvin Short and Colin Cayer. Louie is survived by his wife of forty years, Rhonda (Thurlow), three sons: Travis (Charnele) Thurlow and their boys Nixin and Van, Chad (Angela) Short and their boys Trey and Kaden, and Curtis Porter. He is also survived by his siblings: Don (Louise) Daymond, Diane Schaffel, Peggy Berner, Carmille (Garnet) Fletcher, Anita (Tom) Mead, Dave (Mary) Ross, Donna (Ron) Elder, Anna Ross, brother-in-law Mike (Lee) Cayer; mother-in-law Donna Thurlow; in-laws Cynthia Thurlow; and Jason (Shannon) Thurlow, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Louie initially attended elementary school in Verwood and, later on, transferred to the Assiniboia High School. Following that, he completed an Automotive Mechanics program at the formerly known Sask Technical Institute (STI) in Moose Jaw. He was an avid sports fan and loved to both play and/or watch baseball, hockey and curling. While attending STI, he played hockey with their team known as the Beavers in the Prairie Athletics Conference and he joined the Willow Bunch Tigers in the Notekeu League for a number of years. He enjoyed watching his grandsons, Nixin and Van, play basketball and baseball and, over the years, he attended many other sporting events to watch a number of his athletic nieces and nephews. Also, he enjoyed fishing for several years at Tobin Lake and, more recently, with Travis and his grandsons, at Wood River or Thomson Lake. Lastly, he liked to go hunting for deer or moose (if drawn) and, on any given Sunday, he could be out searching for the coyotes or the gophers.

When he was younger, he worked on the family farm and, after he completed his schooling, he seasonally farmed with his brother, David, whenever he was available to do so. He was then hired as a Heavy Equipment Operator with Brodsky Construction based in Saskatoon, which took him to many locations between the most southern to the northern parts of the province such as to the Key Lake Mine, or to the coal mine in Coronach. During that time, he developed long-lasting friendships with many of his co-workers and, for some of them, he kept in touch, especially with his former boss, Curtis (Angie) Scebinski of Red Deer, Alta. While on the road, he often liked to play pool or shuffleboard to pass the time. When he resided in Saskatoon, he joined a team who owned the "Boss Blue" and he traveled with them to various tractor pulling events and fairs throughout the province. In addition, he worked at the RM of Willow Bunch and, later on, he moved into custom grain hauling under Ross Brothers.

During the large family get togethers, he enjoyed playing cards or board games, and usually contributed to the fun-filled laughter, teasing, or commotions that went on, or he kept folks entertained with some his interesting, or harrowing stories and experiences.

He was a classic country music fan and preferred to watch western shows or movies whenever he could do so. He was often told that he was born in the wrong era, as he would have been a great gunslinger back in the days of the wild west with the outlaws and posses. He could be very charming, funny, witty, and sarcastic at the same time, and he dearly loved to laugh, and was willing to help others whenever he could.

He was not an international traveler by any means, but during his most recent years, he looked forward to flying to Calgary to visit with his sister, Anna, and her son, Jon, as well as other family members, and she would tow him around to where ever he wanted to go, and he always seemed rejuvenated by the mountain air once he returned home.

Thank you to all of the family members who either stayed with him, or visited, while he was in the hospital during his final days – you are so kind and compassionate beyond measure. A special thank you to Dr. Carulei for the many years of service and care he provided and, more recently, while his health gradually declined. Also, we are very grateful for the nursing staff who cared for him during his short stay at the Assiniboia Union Hospital. He remains forever in our hearts and will be sadly missed and remembered by all of his family, and many friends.

As requested by Louie, a private service for the family will be held. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy for Louie’s family may be shared at www.rossfuneralservice.com. Arrangements entrusted to Ross Funeral Service, Assiniboia, SK