Ross Albert Lawrence Nugent

Ross is survived by Madeleine, his loving wife of 65 years, together with his six devoted daughters and their spouses: Linda (Peter), Lorna (Tom), Roslyn (John), Judith (Grant), Alison (Doug) and Jennifer (Patrick), fifteen adoring grandchildren: Joseph, Ajaleigh, David, Ian, Hilary, Laura, Mike, Melanie, Amy, Sarah, Lindsey, Graham, Scott, Kathleen and Michael, three wonderful great grandchildren: Alexandre, Tori-Lynn and Rylan; his brother-in-law, Jack Bennett as well as many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his mother, Kathleen Georgina (nee Crook), his father, Albert C. F. Nugent, and his sister Ruth Bennett (nee Nugent).

Ross was born in Winnipeg on May 10, 1926. He met Madeleine while attending Daniel McIntyre High School and they married in 1949. Ross went to the University of Manitoba attaining his LL.B in 1948 and Masters of Law in 1956. He was called to the Manitoba Bar in 1950 and appointed to Queen’s Council in 1968.

As a partner of Thompson Dorfman Sweatman LLP for most of his career, Ross was passionate about law and gained considerable recognition for his expertise in the areas of development and valuation of properties and businesses including municipal planning, expropriations and assessments. He enjoyed teaching and lectured on real estate and administrative law at the Manitoba Law School, taught the Manitoba Bar Admissions Course and gave lectures for the Appraisal Institute of Canada.

Despite his long hours practicing law, Ross was a truly devoted husband and father. Family was extremely important to him and keeping up with six daughters and their interests was a daunting task. Nevertheless, he attended numerous school functions, music recitals, ballet performances, tennis matches and other sporting events to share in his children’s interests and achievements. There were many wonderful afternoons with his children and grandchildren, teaching them to swim and dive in the backyard pool. Ross and Madeleine considered their yard, with its beautiful trees and rock gardens, as a sanctuary for them to enjoy each other’s company and to bring family members together to connect and appreciate life’s wonderful blessings.

Community involvement was also an important part of Ross’s life; the Red River Exhibition, Royal Winnipeg Ballet and St. Peter’s Anglican Church were some of the organizations that he became involved with over the years.

Ross had a passion and interest in the art world. He thoroughly enjoyed taking art classes at the Winnipeg Art Gallery and the Forum Art Institute and with great enthusiasm painted portraits, still-lifes and scenic landscapes. Art was a life-long hobby which gave him much happiness, fulfillment and enjoyment.

Those who knew Ross loved him for his encouragement, his willingness to help others, his love and devotion to Madeleine and family, and his wonderful sense of humor. He will be truly missed.

We invite all who knew Ross to attend a service to celebrate his life at 2:00pm on Tuesday, June 9, 2015 at St. Luke’s Anglican Church, 130 Nassau Street North with a reception to follow at the Manitoba Club, 194 Broadway Ave.

We would like to thank Dr. Al Schroeder for the excellent care and attention provided to Ross over many years. The family is extremely grateful to all the caregivers who attended Ross in the last few years of his life and for making him comfortable and happy while enjoying cherished time with family and friends.

In Ross’s honour, the family has established an annual award with the University of Manitoba Law Faculty to assist promising students in their dreams and aspirations of the legal profession. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Ross A. L. Nugent, Q.C. Prize, University of Manitoba, 200 – 137 Innovation Drive, Winnipeg, MB R3T 6B6.

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