Ross, Ian Sutherland, 84, Caribou, Pictou County. It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Ian Ross on Friday, April 4, 2008 with his family at his bedside. Born December 9, 1923 in Westville, Ian was the son of the late Thomas Ross and Minnie C.(Sutherland)Ross. While Ian had a full and remarkable life, from being a veteran of WWII and the battle of the Atlantic, to running his own business and volunteering his time to numerous community organizations and associations, his greatest passion was his family and the many friends he made wherever he went. Ian began his career in the late 1950s at the Ferguson Shipyards in Pictou. In January 1942, he along with several close friends from Westville and Stellarton joined the Royal Canadian Navy. After training as a shipwright in Toronto, Cornwallis and the navy Dockyard in Halifax, Ian sailed the waters of the North Atlantic, first aboard HMCS Kokanee(frigate stationed out of St. John’s), and later as chief shipwright aboard HMCS Middlesex(minesweeper stationed out of Halifax). After the war, Ian returned to Westville and worked for Sutherland and Higgins garage and Service Station. In 1951, Ian took over a Texaco service station on Foord Street in Stellarton and expanded his business in 1962 by starting a home heating fuel delivery service. In 1971 he left the service station and took over management of the Texaco bulk plant in New Glasgow while continuing his fuel delivery business. Ian retired from Ian Ross Services Ltd. in 1987. Ian belonged to the New Glasgow Rotary Club, the Royal Canadian Legion, the Independent Order of Oddfellows, and was a very active member in the Masonic Order. Ian was past master of Western Star Lodge #50 in Westville, and past district deputy grand master for Pictou County. He was also a member of the Scottish rite and the Shriners. From a young age Ian became a prolific marksman. He joined the Pictou County Military Rifle Association and competed at many local and provincial events, and later went on to be a founding member of the Pictou County Trap and Skeet Club where he found his forte with trap shooting. Ian competed and won many awards at the local, provincial and national level. He was chair of the Town of Stellarton’s Centennial Celabrations in 1989, and received Provincial recognition for his exceptional volunteer service. Most recently, Ian along with fellow members of the Admiral Murray Royal Canadian Naval Association received recognition from the Navy and the Halifax Regional Municipality for their role in restoring and presenting a centennial plaque. Along his journey through life, Ian made many friends. He could travel far and wide and always run into someone he knew. He was a caring and honest individual who would never be afraid to let you know his opinion, but would always be interested in the opinion of others. He had a keen sense of humour, and reveled in kidding or tormenting his friends. Above all else, Ian loved and cared for his family. He was very proud of his favorite granddaughter Crystal, and his favorite grandson Thomas, playing santa to both of them for many years, and teaching them the two types of good. He was a wonderful dad to his son David and daughter-in-law Brenda. But more than anything, Ian was a loving and dedicated husband to his wife of 56 years, Velma (Weir) Ross. Ian will be missed but long remembered. Cremation to take place. The family will receive visitors from 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday in the H.C. MacQuarrie funeral home, Stellarton A memorial service will be held 11 a.m. Thursday from the H.W. Angus funeral home chapel, New Glasgow with Rev. Charles MacPherson officiating. Burial of ashes will take place in Heatherdale memorial gardens, Alma. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Ian may be made to the VON or to any charity.