Ross (Patrick) Rose

He was born on February 1, 1944 in Dauphin, Manitoba to

Betty and Frank Rose who were both accomplished musicians.

While pursuing his BA at the University of British Columbia, he was cast as the lead in the musical “Bye Bye Birdie” and knew he had found his calling! While at University he was already wooing his future wife of fifty-five years, Susan. In 1968 he set out for London, England where he landed the juvenile lead in George Gershwin’s Lady, Be Good! and finally convinced Susan to marry him a year later.

In 1972, back in Vancouver Patrick starred in the Arts Club Theatre production of Jacques Brel Is Alive and Well and Living In Paris. In 2022 he had the opportunity to reunite with the surviving members of that influential cast for a 50th anniversary concert.

A composer as well as a performer, Rose created works for the symphony “The Soundstealer” as well as the musical theatre “Jubalay”. One of his works, “Olympiad”, toured Canada and a later revue, “A Bistro Car”, played a run off-Broadway in 1978 and later toured extensively.

In 1977 with Susan and baby Jordan, he moved to Toronto to further his career. Daughter Mary was born in 1981 and Pat helped change diapers while working in variety television and especially on the then-popular cabaret scene, where his shows included Equal Time and Madeira M’Dear.

Together with Susan and partner Zoey Adams, he created a Murder Mystery Franchise which was popular across North America. One of his main joys was leading a weekly musical-theatre sing-along at The Avenue Road Arts School. Patrick had an opportunity to celebrate the 30th anniversary alongside participants (and friends) shortly before his death. Always in love with live musical performance, in his later years he established a group called The Retro Ramblers which delighted audiences across Toronto.

“As long as I can get up in front of people with my guitar, I’ll just keep going,” he said in an interview five years ago and that is exactly what he did. He was beloved everywhere, but especially in the Beaches community, where he lived most of his life, for his infectious charm, his virtuoso music-making and his generosity of spirit.

But it was his love for his family which was truly the beacon which lit his way through his 79 years. Patrick loved nothing more than travelling the world adventuring with Mary, Jordan, his wife Magda and especially his grandchildren Della and Oskar.

A Celebration of Pat’s Life will be held at a future date

in lieu of flowers please give someone you love a hug in Patrick's memory

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.giffenmackdanforth.com for the Rose family.