John Douglas Ross MEd.

Beloved husband of Patricia Dianne Ross for 58 years

Loving father of Rob and Jennifer.

Dear brother of the late Marilyn Beckell.

Doug joined the Oshawa Chadburn Air Cadet Squadron No. 151, and earned the opportunity to obtain a pilot's license with a Flying Scholarship during the summer of 1948. He was one of four cadets from the Chadburn Squadron, representing 10 per cent of the successful candidates across Canada that summer, to receive the new R.C.A.C pilot wings. [His friends pointed out that he had a pilot's license before he passed my driver's license.

Doug graduated from Oshawa Collegiate and Vocational Institute in 1949. He travelled in South America for a year and then entered teacher training at Toronto Normal School, graduating in 1951. He completed a B.A program in 1954 (Victoria College, University of Toronto). He returned to University of Toronto for a Bachelor of Education Degree in 1960 and a Master of Education degree in 1963.

Doug entered the teaching profession in the West end of what is now Metropolitan Toronto, and taught at C.E. Webster, Silverthorn (until the fire in 1957) and Keelesdale Public Schools. He served as vice-principal at Warren Park, Silverthorn, Fairbank Memorial and George Syme Public Schools, and was a principal (8 years) at Harwood and Lambton Park Junior Public Schools

Doug enjoyed his 40-year retirement working in his garden, researching genealogy, creating websites, and travel.

The following list is quoted from Doug’s self-authored funeral card, which has been provided in his “Brief Autobiography,” on his website, located at https://www.ross-ter.com/:

Genealogist

- The Ross-ter (July 1951 to July 2025)

- Myheritage.com (Family Tree 2009 to 2025)

Author

- Education In Oshawa (LA419 C75 R68 1970)

- Our Ross Family Story (LC/CS90.R618 1978)

- The McGregor Story (2005 2ed-2015 3ed)

- The Enigma Machine (internet)

- Mister E (unpublished)

- Taddle Creek Tales (unpublished)

Membership

- Kiwanis (1970-1977)

- Clan Ross Association of Canada [Webmaster 2000-2012] (1999-2020)

- Scottish Studies Foundation (2009)

- Society of Antiquaries of Scotland (2009)

- others: Aquarium Society; Toronto Pet User’s Group; Retired Teachers of Ontario…

Influences (Literary)

- The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam (1048-1131)

- The Canterbury Tales - Chaucer (1343-1400)

- Martian Chronicles - Ray Bradbury (1920-2012)

Influences (People He Has Met)

- Grey Owl (conservationist)

- Fred Varley (unique amongst the Group of Seven)

- Lester B. Pearson (responsible liberal)

- Milt McDougal (Oshawa Flying Club)

- Dr. Norman Emerson (First UofT Archaeology digs 1951-1954)

- others: Diana Gabaldon, Jean Little, Margaret Atwood…

Some Values He Supported:

- Activities whereby youngsters can learn about their cultural heritage

- travel as an educational activity

- the right to arm bears

Friends may call at the Kane-Jerrett North York Funeral Home (6191 Yonge St. south of Steeles Ave.) on Monday August 18, 2025 from 1:00 pm until time of the memorial service which will be held in that chapel at 2:00 pm.

If desired, in memoriam donations may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society.