Some people leave a mark through a career. Others through sport, community service, friendship, or family. Lew Ross managed to do all of these and more.

Lew was born in Glasgow, Scotland, on June 17, 1939, the youngest of four brothers. He was educated at Shawlands Academy and later earned a Diploma in Management from the University of Strathclyde. Married to Dorothy in November 1960 they emigrated to Canada in 1967, beginning a remarkable new chapter that would span nearly six decades. Together they built a loving family, raising their children Fraser (Maureen) and Deirdre (Mark), and later taking immense pride in their grandsons Parker (Cosima) and Cameron (Sierra). Dot passed away in 2017 which remained tough on Lew, but the arrival last year of his treasured great-granddaughter, Savannah, brought him tremendous joy and whose visit in his final days would put a huge smile on his face.  

Professionally, Lew enjoyed an accomplished career in Information Technology. After seven years with Rolls-Royce in the United Kingdom, he was recruited to Canada by Safeway in 1967 as a founding member of its Information Technology group. Over the next 35 years, he helped guide the growth and evolution of the department, rising through a variety of management positions before retiring as Manager of Information Technology in 2002. Those who worked alongside Lew remember far more than his professional accomplishments. They remember his booming laugh, his cheerful spirit, his ability to mentor and encourage others, and his gift for communication. He had a rare talent for making people feel welcome and valued. His speeches were always entertaining, his emails often legendary, and his friendships lasting. As many former Safeway colleagues have noted, Lew was one of the great personalities of his generation and a man who made every workplace better simply by being part of it.

Athletics were a lifelong passion. As a young man in Scotland, Lew devoted himself to rugby and track and field, particularly the throwing events. After arriving in Canada, he continued his involvement in sports, dedicating countless hours to developing young athletes. He served as a throws coach in Junior Development Track and Field programs for fifteen years and spent seventeen years with the Delta Youth Soccer Association as coach, manager, administrator, board member, and eventually its President.

Yet it was within the Scottish Highland Games community that Lew became truly legendary. Beginning in 1975 with Deirdre’s involvement in highland dancing, Lew immersed himself in every aspect of Highland Games competition and culture and was a true pioneer to the Heavy Events and its development in British Columbia. For nearly three decades he competed, organized, adjudicated, commentated, lectured, and promoted games throughout BC and the Pacific Northwest. His competitive travels took him from Florida to Hawaii and from Southern California to the Yukon. Along the way, he won 27 individual games championships and twice captured the prestigious Bill Anderson Trophy as U.S. Open Masters Champion. This body of work culminated into being inducted into the Canadian Scottish Athletic Federation Hall of Fame in 2007. After stepping away from competition, Lew remained one of the most recognizable ambassadors of the Highland Games, sharing his knowledge and enthusiasm with generations of athletes and spectators. In recognition of his extraordinary contributions, the City of Coquitlam has honoured him since 2019 by naming a section of Town Centre Park for one weekend each year at the BC Highland Games as Lew Ross Field.

Lew was incredibly proud to call himself a Canadian. He would often state time and time again how lucky he felt to have made the decision to immigrate here. No one would sing the national anthem at events louder than Dad and he loved this country and all it had to offer with a passion.

He approached life with curiosity, energy, and excitement. Later on in retirement his talents would extend beyond sports and business into community theatre. He first performed with a theatre group in Parksville, where he and Mum moved to for nine years, and later joined the Chilliwack Players Guild. With his natural storytelling ability, quick wit, and larger-than-life personality, he was equally at home on stage as he was behind a podium or on the Highland Games field. Theatre provided him with another opportunity to entertain, build friendships, and embrace new challenges.

In recent years, Lew faced significant health challenges. True to form, he fought each battle with determination, courage, and characteristic stubbornness. Hospital stays became all too frequent, but he never stopped hoping, never stopped pushing forward, and never stopped appreciating the people around him. He remained fiercely independent, strong-willed, and resilient to the very end.

Lew leaves behind a legacy of leadership, service, friendship, mentorship, athletic achievement, and family devotion. He was larger than life, a respected colleague, a fierce competitor, and a loyal friend. His laughter, stories, wisdom, and unmistakable presence will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him.

SERVICE DETAILS:

A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday September 20th at the Sky Hangar within the Pitt Meadows Airport from 1-4PM. Everyone who knew Lew is welcome along with anyone who wishes to support the family. We’re gonnae have a Cèilidh.