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Ross Douglas Lindsay was born in Golden BC on April 2, 1949. His birth parents were Estella Juarez (Hinds) and Gordon Fisher. He was lovingly adopted by Bill and Nancy Lindsay. Ross spent most of his infancy in Golden, but his family soon moved to Drumheller, Alberta, where he started school. At school he did very well, achieving top marks in his studies. His teachers often commented that he was very intelligent and said that he could become a doctor or lawyer.
In his childhood years, Ross would spend his summers on his grandparents’ farm working near Hanna, Alberta. He was an only child and nephew for a number of years. Ross also spent much time with his Aunt Mary who got him into the Drumheller Parade riding horseback. At age 15, Ross moved with his dad, Bill, to Lethbridge, Alberta. This is where his family grew. His stepmother, Marg Lindsay (Shruger), older step-brother, John Shruger, and step-sister, Rayleen Shruger became family members. Ross spent his teen years between Lethbridge with his dad Bill, and Drumheller with his mom Nancy. He made lifelong friends in Drumheller with the Halverson and Doufloth families. In his teen years, he played briefly in a band.
At the age of 13, Ross met his wife to be, Margaret Stevenson. Ross’s Aunt Mary had a farm across the street from Margaret’s parents’ house. The farmland is the site of former elementary school, Dr. Norman Bethune - now FFCA SHS.
Margaret didn’t like Ross when she first met him because he was “bratty” and “annoying” but, Mom loved Dad’s Aunt Mary who let her and her sister ride horses around the new districts of Acadia and Fairview. Ross stuck around closely and became good friends with Margaret’s brother Ron. After a few years of Ross sticking around, and as Mom said, “punching out all her boyfriends,” they fell in love. They were married on September 29, 1970. Their family started with their first daughter, Glenda Jean, being born. She was followed by Charmaine Ann, Rayleen Margaret, Ross Ronald Jr. and Travis Willam. In 1974 they purchased their house on Avonburn Road and that is still the Lindsay family home.
Ross was an incredibly devoted and involved father. Summers were spent biking around the Glenmore Dam, camping, and water-skiing in the Okanagan. Winters were spent on two-week ski vacations. All six of them, joined by Grandma Nancy, got cozy in a 23-foot motor home. Other relatives and friends were invited too! Everyone was always welcome to come and join the family. The kids were active in sports. Ross went to every hockey, ringette, soccer, softball, t-ball, and figure-skating event and practice. He was actively involved and was always a chaperone on out-of-town tournaments.
Ross’s profession was Refrigeration Mechanic. He worked for several companies but went into partnership and started Eagle Eye Mechanical. He later sold that company and went into business with Ross Jr. and Rayleen starting Sub Zero Technical Ltd. in December 1995. The company is family-based and over the years has employed all of his children, some of their spouses, grandkids, and even some other relatives and friends. Ross was a master in his field with over 45 years of experience. There was no problem that he could not solve.
After his mother Nancy died in 1995, he went on a search for his birth parents. Happily, he found his birth mother alive and well. Unfortunately, his father had passed away earlier that year in 1996 at the age of 65. For Ross, once an only child, was happy to find that now he was part of a bigger family on his mom’s (Estella) side. He had three younger brothers; Del, Laurie, and Brent Bauer. On his dad’s (Gordon) side were his younger brother, Rick Fisher and sisters, Vonnie Wright and Sherri Siemens-Kobsar. This also included spouses and many more nieces and nephews.
As Ross’s kids grew up and left home, Ross and Margaret began travelling. The family all got certified in scuba diving and the adventures continued. Ross explored Maui, the Great Blue Hole in Belize, the Cayman Islands, and Australia - just to name a few locations. Ross loved boats and in 2007 he purchased a 28-foot yacht-capacity boat and docked it in Oak Harbour, USA, where he and Margaret spent the better part of the summer months exploring the surrounding islands, always with grandkids and adult children in tow. Ross also liked hiking. His three favourite hikes were the Westcoast Trail, Pocaterra Ridge, and Ribbon Falls. He hiked them over a dozen times most often with Rayleen.
Ross held season tickets to the Calgary Flames and Calgary Stampeders for over 20 years, going to playoff games in Vancouver and Toronto with Jeff and others over the years.
Ross was a long-time member of the Calgary Repsol Sports Center where he worked out several times a week for over 30 years.
Ross was also very involved in the Bow View Ringette community and earned the nickname “Coach Grandpa”, which he was fondly referred to as by the entire team. When Ross was not cycling 30+ kms per week, he had a newfound love for motorcycling and recently purchased a motorbike.
Margaret remembers her husband Ross as loving, loyal, knowledgeable, hardworking, and a wonderful father.
His adult children will remember their dad as unique, energetic, smart, social, lively, loyal, honest, generous, determined, resilient, steadfast, and vibrant – Superhuman.
His grandkids remember Grandpa as happy, fun, adventurous, energetic, playful, goofy, strong, loving, and supportive.
Ross and Margaret spent every weekend with the adult kids and/or grandkids. They were his family and also his friends. He was very active in everyone’s lives. Every trip, every holiday, Ross and Margaret were accompanied by their adult kids and/or grandkids. He will be missed.
Ross was also affectionately known as “Link” or “Buck”. He spent his weekdays working with Ross Jr. and his wife Chrissy, and Rayleen and her husband Jeff. His absence will never be filled. Those who met Ross will never forget him. When he entered a room, his presence was felt. That presence will never be forgotten by those who loved and knew him. He accomplished more in one year than most people would in a lifetime. This is just a very short summary of his life.
Ross leaves behind his wife of 51 years, Margaret, children (and spouses) and grandchildren: Glenda and Dale Bott (Reegan, Colten, Wyatt), Rayleen and Jeff Chaskavich (Angela), Ross Jr and Christina Lindsay (Ross Jr Jr, aka Chuggy), Travis and Caylawn Lindsay (Haven, Logan, Savanna), many nieces, nephews, friends, and extended family.
Ross was predeceased by his daughter (Charmaine Ann), his adoptive parents (Bill and Nancy Lindsay), stepmom (Marg Lindsay), stepbrother/stepsister (John and Ray Shruger), biological parents (Estella Juarez and Gordon Fisher).
The family would love to hear any stories or tributes you would like to share on his Tribute Wall.
Thank you for your love and support.
Those unable to attend his recorded memorial which took place on Sunday, October 17, 2021, may view it here. May it bring some comfort and happy memories as we remember Ross Lindsay.
To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Ross Douglas Lindsay, please visit our Tree Store.