It is with great sadness and gratitude for a long and full life that we announce the passing of Ross Sylvester Kennedy on Saturday, August 14, 2021 at the age of 82 years. Ross passed away peacefully, after suffering a stroke in Red Deer, Alberta. He was born on October 18, 1938, near Moosomin, Saskatchewan, and was the second of four boys. Ross’s early life was spent farming in rural Saskatchewan. He loved being outdoors and close to nature, where his love of animals began. As a child, one of his hobbies was collecting bird’s eggs, with a goal of collecting one egg from every type of bird on the farm. He loved working with his hands and mastered his mechanical skills assembling farm equipment at his father’s International Harvester Dealership, as well as working the farm. In September 1955, Ross came down with rheumatic fever. He was hospitalized for over a month, and then spent nine months convalescing at home, attending only twenty-nine days of his Grade Ten school year. His goals and dreams changed, as a result of the heart damage he suffered. He set aside his Agricultural Career aspirations and looked to the field of Electronics, obtaining his Electronics Certificate in 1956. Ross held various positions during his thirty-seven year career at SaskTel, starting in maintenance of the new microwave system and eventually moving into management. His career led him to live in a number of communities including; Saskatoon, Rosetown, Ottawa and Regina, where he lived for over forty years. He met Rita through his employment at Sasktel, and they were blessed to have four daughters. The family spent many summers camping in their tent trailer throughout Canada and the southeastern United States, sharing his love of the outdoors and quality time with family. Ross believed strongly in life-long learning. He took night classes at the University of Saskatchewan to complete a Certificate in Business Administration. He achieved the Distinguished Toastmaster Award through the Toastmaster program, was an Authorized Instructor of the Leadership Effectiveness Training program, and continued taking leadership and special interest courses throughout his life. He accumulated an extensive collection of leadership and management training books through his love of reading. One of Ross’s passions was community service work. He was a tireless member of Rotary International; working on numerous sustainable projects to support education and provide health initiatives on a domestic and International level. One highlight was his trip to Uganda in 2009, with the Red Deer Sunrise Rotary Club. He received many awards in recognition of his twenty-six years of service and leadership with Rotary International. Ross volunteered with the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce (nine years) and Saskatchewan Labour Force Development Board (eight years), Regina Chamber of Commerce, Elks Club and canvassed for the Heart and Stroke Foundation and the Salvation Army. Ross had a strong drive to do and accomplish more, and always looked for new ways to challenge himself. He ventured into a number of entrepreneurial endeavours including running a Judo club, Amway sales, Motorhome Rental Business, operating a Sandwich Tree Restaurant Franchise, and Management training. Other passions included Genealogical Research of his and Rita`s family trees and landscaping design at his new home in Red Deer. His favourite retirement pastime was sitting outside watching birds and enjoying the sun on his face. Ross will be remembered for his integrity, work ethic, dedication, love of animals, and having the patient temperament to live harmoniously in a household of five women. Many of these traits were instilled by his parents, George and Ida Kennedy. Ross will be lovingly remembered by his wife of fifty-eight years, Rita; his daughters, Michele (Larry) Morrison of Regina, Simone (John) Bailly of Red Deer, Theresa (Sean) Sullivan of Kelowna and Karen Kennedy of Edmonton; his nine grandchildren and his nine great grandchildren. He will also be sadly missed by his brothers, Harold (Genevieve) and Clayton (Marlene) Kennedy; as well as many other extended family members and friends. Ross was predeceased by his parents and a brother, Mervyn Kennedy. We are grateful for the exceptional care and compassion that Bethany CollegeSide staff provided to our father during his time there, and continue to provide to our mother. A Celebration of Ross’s Life will be held at Parkland Funeral Home, 6287 – 67 A Street (Taylor Drive), Red Deer, Alberta on Friday, September 3, 2021 at 10:30 a.m. A Private Family Interment will follow at Alto Reste Cemetery, Red Deer, Alberta. For those unable to attend, please go to www.parklandfuneralhome.com and click on the Live Stream button. If desired, Memorial Donations in Ross’s honor may be made directly to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Alberta at www.heartandstroke.ca. Condolences may be sent or viewed at www.parklandfuneralhome.com.

Arrangements in care of:

Parkland Funeral Home and Crematorium (Red Deer),

6287 – 67 A Street (Taylor Drive), Red Deer. 403.340.4040.

ONLY LOCALLY OWNED AND OPERATED FUNERAL HOME/CREMATORIUM

IN THE CITY OF RED DEER.

• Date : 2021-09-03
• Location : www.ParklandFuneralHome.com & www.HeartlandFuneralServices.com