Ross was born and raised in Chatham attending Queen
Mary Public School and then Chatham Collegiate. He worked
for Silverwoods Dairy and then Union Gas, retiring in 1986
from his position as Manager of Property and Insurance.
- 1947
- Ross, Doug Allin, and Joe Zimmer founded Chatham
Minor Baseball Association. With help from Sid
Clunis and Joe Carpenter, they enlisted the
Kinsmen Club as a sponsor and talked Al Shakleton
into being the first president of CMBA. In very
short order, this organization became one of the
top minor baseball associations in Ontario. As an
executive member, Ross was involved in all aspects
of the organization, but took a very active part
in the fundraising and coaching aspects. For 30
years he ran the bantam house league at Stirling
Park, performing virtually all of the required
duties from organizing the teams, scorekeeping,
umpiring, and grounds keeping. In addition, with
the help of Casey Maynard, Ross coached the bantam
All Star teams every year. The 1950's and 60's
were the glory years for Chatham baseball teams as
they captured numerous Ontario Championships and
became the envy of other provincial organizations.
During those years, the bantam teams won 5 OBA
Championships under coach Day.
Ross not only taught his players baseball skills, he
taught them to be gentlemen and to respect themselves and
their opponents. He believed that every boy had the right
to play and, without fanfare, personally financed many
individuals whose families were unable to pay their way.
He passed away in 1996 from a stroke at the age of 68.
Never having married, Ross had devoted his life, outside
of work, to his players and to their wellbeing. He is
remembered fondly by those who came in contact with him
|
Birth Date: 1928