JAMES ROSS MALABAR

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

JAMES ROSS MALABAR James Ross Malabar passed away on December 19, 2012. He was predeceased by his sister Tanyss Robinson and brother Doug Mallabar. Ross was born in Winnipeg on May 16, 1922, the eldest son of Jim and Emily Mallabar. He graduated from Norwood Collegiate. He was school Valedictorian in 1939, which he was always proud of. As a young man he was surrounded by family and family business. He loved cottage life at a young age with his family cottage at Lac du Bonnet. Ross was a member of the Winnipeg rowing club and loved boating. Ross served with the RCAF and McDonald aircraft during the Second World War in Winnipeg and Ontario. He was actively involved in the family business, Mallabar Costume Ltd from 1945 as General Manager and President. He retired from the family business in 1977. In 1946 Ross was working in Montreal, where he met and married June Malabar (nee Wells) on May 17, 1947. Although they lived apart for the last 25 years of his life, they remained very close right to the end. Ross was an active member of the Winnipeg Lions Club, CNIB, Jaycees and Oxford United Church. He was grateful and proud to be a member of AA, where he had recently celebrated 22 years of sobriety. Ross's love of cottage life was evident his entire life. He and June built a beautiful cottage to raise their children during the summer months in Beaconia. Over the years, many fond family memories were created in that special place. In the mid 1970s Ross and a few of his best buddies (Steve Knight and Marvin McGonigal) headed to Lake of the Woods, where he purchased land and built a beautiful summer home for his family. Ross loved nature, bird watching, building projects, waterskiing, fishing, sailing, and canoeing. To him family cottage life was everything, and was a place where he found peace, joy and serenity. Ross was proud of all his children's accomplishments in their lives, and taught them many practical life skills which they are thankful for. He leaves to mourn, four children- Scott (Jan), Keith (Debbie), Margo and Wendy (Monty). Grandchildren Trisha (Keith), Sara, Jennifer, Alex, Katie (Scott), George, Gregg and Grant (Wendy) and 10 great-grandchildren. In Ross's later years he moved to Surrey, B.C. In March 2012 he moved to West Kelowna due to his health, to live with his daughter Wendy and her husband Monty. The last eight months of his life were a special time for both Ross and Wendy and a very close bond developed. During his final months he was very grateful to have the support he needed. Ross had many great friends but a special mention to those in White Rock include Mildred, Theresa and Ken Sully who touched his life in their own special ways. Cremation has taken place. As Ross has requested, his ashes will be scattered at Lake of the Woods in a private family gathering. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the CNIB, the Heart and Stroke Foundation or the Lung Association.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 05, 2013