Dr Roderick Clendenning Ross

October 5, 1917 – August 28, 2015

Rod Ross passed away gracefully in Oshawa, Ontario, at the home of his son David in the company of so many of us that loved him.

Rod, the son of William Alexander Ross, and Gertrude Clendenning, was born in Vineland Station. His beloved early years in the Niagara Peninsula, with his three siblings Douglas Gordon and Dorothy, gave him a lifelong love of the Ontario landscape. Rod raced through Beamsville High School, leaving at a young age for Toronto where he attended University College, at the University of Toronto in Biological and Medical Sciences, and graduated from the University of Toronto Medical School in 1940.

Shortly after the outbreak of World War II, Rod entered active Naval Service completing his medical internship on board ship, serving as a Medical Officer, and as a Surgeon Lieutenant. High points of his war service were serving in the Battle of the Atlantic on the Destroyer HMCS Columbia in 1941-42; serving in the D-DAY Landing, the SS Clan Lamont in 1944; celebrating VE Day in Trafalgar Square, London in 1945, and serving the final months of the Pacific Theater in the South Pacific on the HMS Lamont.

During the war years, Rod was based and commissioned out of Halifax, Nova Scotia. During an unexpected shore leave he visited a dude ranch, where the elegant Margaret Ann Jaques from Westmount, Montreal was guiding the horses. They fell deeply in love and married in January 1942, and had their first child Jennifer in December 1942.

Post war, Rod returned to Montreal and completed his post graduate medical training in Pathology. He practiced at Memorial Hospital in New York City, Verdun Protestant Hospital in Montreal, and lectured at McGill University. He completed his Fellowship in Pathology in 1956. Rod and Anne’s family grew with the births of Marlee in 1947, Lex in 1950.

The family moved to Toronto in 1952, when Rod accepted the position of Pathologist in Chief at St. Michaels Hospital. Rod was a physician of science and vision, and the Department of Pathology flourished under his guidance for the next 28 years becoming a center of excellence in research, academics and practice. Known to his students as “Rocket Rod”, Rod taught Pathology at U of T and became the Coroner for the City of Toronto, practicing forensics for many years.

Rod and Anne’s family was completed in 1953 with the birth of David. In the mid 1950’s Rod bought 100 acres of rolling grassland in the Hockley Valley. This would become Rowanwood, the family’s spiritual home. There were tree plantings, barn raising, house construction, family reunions and a family wedding. Rod and Anne’s generous welcoming was legendary, and their wide extended families celebrated at “The Farm”.

Rod, inspired by his war years on the ocean became an avid sailor, racing his Lightning and Shark at the RCYC, Toronto.

Following his retirement from SMH, in 1980 Rod and Anne moved permanently to Rowanwood. Summers were full of grandchildren, the swimming pool, and the new telescope. They continued to travel the world widely and loved their visits with each one of their children’s families.

After his beloved Anne passed in 1997, Rod reconnected with an old friend, Joan Winters. They spent 10 years together, eventually marrying.

Rod spent his final years of his long life at Whitecliff Terrace Residence in Oshawa, where he was beloved by all, as “The Singer”.

Rod conducted his life with grace and authority, with a quick mind, and a courtesy based in kindness. He will be missed immeasurably by his surviving family: Children: Jennifer (Jacques), Marlee (Joost), Lex (Puang), David (Colleen);

Grandchildren: Leslie, Jeanine, Anne, Lisa, Mike, Myfanwy, Alexander, Sarah, Heather, Kevin (deceased), Jennie, Shannon, and Megan. Great Grandchildren: Alize, Daphne, Julien, Luanna, Xander, Isis, Ezra, Liam and Daniel.

Visitation will be held at OSHAWA FUNERAL HOME, 847 King Street West (905-721-1234) on Sunday, September 6th from 12:00 noon until time of Service of Remembrance in the Chapel at 1:00 p.m. Private interment will take place at Mount Pleasant. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to The Nature Conservancy of Canada would be appreciated.