JOHN STEWART ROSS

Adjust Text Size: A+ A-

JOHN STEWART ROSS McDIARMID III It is with deep sadness that we announce the unexpected passing of our beloved John on Friday, May 11, 2001 at the Health Sciences Centre, Winnipeg, MB. He lost his short but courageous battle with cancer. John was born in Winnipeg on April 8, 1950. The 51 years of his life was surely a story all on its own. From being the grandson of the Lieutenant Governor of Manitoba - John McDiarmid in the 1950s and 60s and living briefly in the Government House with his parents and sisters. He had the great honour of being formally presented to the Queen of England on July 24, 1959 and got to play soccer with the then quite young Prince Charles on the Government House grounds. John went on to years of playing junior hockey, where eventually he was asked to go to training camp for the Detroit Red Wings, where he found out it was no longer fun and returned to Winnipeg. He went on to managing two prominent country clubs in Winnipeg and then owning his own hotel in Brunkild, MB. He spent many endless hours with his family at the family cottage at Minaki Lodge and by being a fishing guide there, had put himself through university to get his teaching certificate to become an instructor at the Red River Community College, where he taught Hotel Restaurant Administration and Cooking. After many years there, he moved on to be a Harley Davidson shop owner in Penticton, BC called Canyon Cycle, where he made very many lifelong friends. Later moving back to Manitoba, he wanted to do his long dream of being a long haul truck driver where he was still employed upon his death. He was employed with Naaykens Transport since 1995 in Beausejour, MB where again, he made too many numerous friends to all mention. John was an avid motorcycle enthusiast, owning many types of motorcycles with of course his favourite being Harleys. Through the years of riding all over Canada and the USA, John was a member of the Manitoba Motorcycle Club in Winnipeg and an honorary member of the Midwest Motorcycle Club out of Cass Lake, MN where he met his best friend Max Loewe, who will surely miss him dearly. Remaining to forever cherish Johns memory are his wife Crystal and stepchildren, Robert Ritchot, Deanna Ritchot and Shannon Ritchot (Paul Chapman) his mother Che McDiarmid; sister Anne Molinski (Bert) two nieces, Margie and Kimberly Ann; one nephew William Donald; and numerous relatives and friends. He was predeceased by his father Ross McDiarmid and oldest sister Margaret Houston. Relatives and friends are invited to gather in Johns memory in his home at 1029 Park Ave. E., Beausejour, MB on Saturday, May 26, beginning at 12:00 p.m. As an expression of sympathy, memorial donations may be made in Johns memory to the Canadian Cancer Society (Manitoba Division), 193 Sherbrook St., Winnipeg, MB R3C 2B7. Ill love you forever Honey Bunny And Ill miss you longer Love Crystal WOJCIKS FUNERAL CHAPEL & CREMATORIUM 897 - 4665

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on May 19, 2001