It is with deep sadness that the Ross family announced the passing of Heinz Ross at Invermere on June the twenty third, 2025. He passed peacefully, surrounded by his family. He was 95 years old.

Heinrich (Heinz) Hermann Ross was born to Hubert and Bernhardina (Anna) Ross in Rheine, West Germany on February 25, 1930. He was the eldest of seven children. Heinz was predeceased by Agnes, his beloved wife of 70 years, his parents: Hubert and Anna, sister Kate and brothers: Hubert and Walter. He is survived by sisters: Hedy and Ingrid and brother Bernie, three children: Juergen (Joan), Doris (Bruce), Deborah (Ron): seven grandchildren and six great grandchildren.

As a young boy, he lived through the horrors, destruction and deprivation of World War II. When the war ended, he began working for the railroad. After a short time, he gave up his job so that another young man with a wife and child could stay employed to support his family. Heinz then apprenticed as an electrician, his lifelong career. About that time, he met the love of his life, Agnes. After work he would pedal his bicycle to the next town to court her and then pedal home again in the dark of night, only to get up early next morning to go to work.

They were married in 1951 and lived with his parents. Juergen was born the in next year. When he earned enough money, he purchased a small motorcycle as a family conveyance. Heinz and Agnes, with a baby wedged between them, would go on family outings on this motorcycle. Heinz succeeded in obtaining approval to emigrate to Canada and temporarily left his family to arrive in Halifax. He then travelled to Calgary where he worked as a carpenter while studying to requalify as an electrician. This was in order to establish a home and support for his family. He sent for them to join him in the following year. The three of them moved into a small house where they shared rent and space with Agnes’ extended family to save money to buy their own small house a few years later. They both needed to work to afford this move. Doris and Deborah were born there shortly afterwards.

Heinz renovated and built additions to the home to accommodate a growing family. This was the family home until he retired early and he and Agnes moved to his dream location in the mountains of BC. There they worked hard and spent long hours building their own house near Canal Flats where they lived for the rest of their lives. Heinz was a capable, hard working man. He was fiercely independent and strong willed. He was honourable and honest to a fault. He was loyal to those close to him and he loved his family unconditionally. He respected others who had the same personal qualities. He greeted Agnes every morning and said goodnight to her every night, even after she had passed two and a half years before. They were married for over seventy years.

He loved being in his mountain retreat where he would fish in the nearby mountain streams. He didn’t need to catch anything, he just enjoyed being there. Heinz also took up gardening. He would annoy Agnes when she had to preserve all the vegetables he harvested. He would grow flowers with the same care and attention and they both took pride in the fruits of their labor. They both loved the hummingbirds that were attracted to these flowers as well as the wildlife that passed through their acreage.

Heinz forgave or even was relieved that their beloved dogs would scare the deer away from their garden. Heinz also loved tinkering with the machinery, a testimony to his meticulous nature. He also enjoyed discussing world issues with visitors over beer and schnapps. Everything he did, from gardening to building, he did with single minded dedication, where hard work never deterred him.

Even though Agnes’ spirit has been with you these last few years, you can now be with her. Your work is done, now you can rest easy together. The Ross family would like to extend thanks to Dr. Page, his doctor who was also considered his friend.

Thanks also to the individuals of BC Interior Health who provided help and advice when it was needed. But special thanks to the staff at Ivy House who went far above and beyond what was necessary to show care and compassion to Heinz in his last days.

mcphersonfh.com