(1944-2007)
Art passed away peacefully in the Bradley Centre of Chilliwack General Hospital on September 7, 2007 after a long battle with cancer. Art was born in Duncan and raised in Nanoose Bay, BC where he discovered his lifelong passion for the outdoors, football and golf. Art obtained his BA in English from UBC in 1968, and his MA from the University of Alberta in 1969. He taught in Grande Prairie Regional College for three years, and in Zambia for two, before settling in Chilliwack to teach at Fraser Valley College (now the University College of the Fraser Valley) from 1975 – 2001. He will be fondly remembered as a dynamic and inspiring teacher by the many students who were lucky enough to take his classes over the years. Art is survived by his wife, Jackie (nee Rice), his sons, Stephen and Aaron and Stephen’s wife Stephanie; his three grandchildren, Acacia, Perry and Kathleen; his mother Vernice (nee Dawson) and his stepfather, Norman Blenkinsop; his brother David (Felicity), his sister in law Janet Rice; his nieces Colleen, Caroline, Susan and Catherine, and his nephews Eric, Hugh and Graham; and their children. He is predeceased by his father George Ross, his uncle Jimmy Ross and his brother in law Graham Rice. An open house celebration of Art’s life will be held at his home (46397 John Place) on Sunday, September 16, 2007 from 2:00 – 4:00 pm.
Donations to the Canadian Cancer Society or the BC Cancer Foundations are gratefully accepted in lieu of flowers.