Mr. Ross Egerton Bird

Ross was predeceased by his wife of 59 years, Elizabeth (Mainman) Bird as well as his older brother Curtis Bird. Ross is survived by son Geoffrey (Erin), daughters Norene (Yves Campion), Andrea (Paul Astrop) and Judith. His 4 grandchildren, Matthew, Olivia, Nathan and Grace and his younger sister Lois (Bird) Brown.

Ross was born in Winnipeg on October 2, 1938. He attended Lord Roberts Elementary, Gordon Bell High School and the University of Manitoba where he received his degree in Chartered Accountancy. Ross also spent time modeling for the Eaton’s and the Hudson’s Bay catalogues, and was usually found in the mens underwear section. After University, Ross joined the Government Railway as a Senior Auditor. During this time, he travelled a lot by train where he had time to hone his Cribbage skills that have been shared with his children and his grandchildren. Ross then worked for Eaton’s in Winnipeg, Toronto and was transferred to Vancouver in 1977, where he and the family stayed, rooted in North Delta. After Eaton’s he did some consulting work with BCAA and joined Mackenzie Fiemann Chemicals in the late 1980s. Late in his career, Ross found his passion as a business owner when he bought into a partnership with Gator Pest Control. Ross could be found in the office crunching the numbers and out in grain towers catching critters until he sold the business to retire in 2006. For relaxation Ross took up golfing and spent many hours trying to perfect his swing on courses around BC.

Ross and Elizabeth married on August 11, 1962 and began building their family. Ross was known for creating a wall of fame that displayed all of the achievements made by his 4 children. He was extremely proud of all of them and supported them through the ups and downs of life, always being there for them however possible. He loved his grandchildren and spent much of his retired days going to hockey games, dance recitals, volleyball games and graduations. Through retirement, he and Elizabeth spent time travelling, something they both really loved. They made it to France, Ireland, Italy and England and spent many springs down in Phoenix and Palm Springs where they were regularly joined by close friends and family.

Please join the family at the Forest Lawn Funeral Home at 3789 Royal Oak Avenue, Burnaby BC for Ross’s celebration of life at 1:00 pm. with reception to be held afterwards.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Alzheimer’s Society of British Columbia.