Roger “Rog” Ronald Ross

With deep sadness we announce the profound loss of Roger Ross. He passed peacefully at home in Victoria, BC, surrounded by his loving family, after 95 years of a life well lived.

Roger will be greatly missed by his wife Doreen and their three children, Margo, Dave (Sylvia), and Bobby (Tania), four grandchildren Dain (Jess), Michael, Kaiulani, Declan and great-grandson Duke. We know he will be truly missed by many people near and far who knew him and called him a friend, of which there were many!

Roger was born in Everett, Washington and moved to Vancouver Island as a young boy with his parents, Percy and Dora Ross. He grew up on the Songhees Nation where his father was Chief for 25 years. He loved to hunt and fish with his Dad, often coming home from school, grabbing his shotgun to shoot pheasants in the back yard. He was a talented athlete, playing soccer, rugby, basketball and football, but his favourite was baseball, following in his father’s footsteps. After graduating from Vic High, he attended Victoria College then the University of Oregon dental school.

Returning to Victoria, Roger opened his dental practice where he ultimately became one of the best dentists in town and first to specialize in crown and bridge and full mouth reconstruction. He practiced for 47 years. Many of you may still be smiling from some of his expertise!

Roger was a long-standing member of the Vancouver Ferrier Gold Foil Study Club and President of the Victoria & District Dental Society. He was offered a dental fellowship at the University of Washington but respectfully turned it down…too much time away from family and fishing!

As a young man he took up golf and that passion would take him on many adventures, making lifelong friendships and becoming a scratch golfer. He was the Club Champion at Royal Colwood in 1959. Eventually he became a member of Victoria Golf Club in 1970 where he remained for 55 years finishing up as an Honorary Member. He was a proper legend at VGC.

He was married to the love of his life, Doreen, for 58 amazing years. What a handsome couple! They were often seen dancing the night away and generally having a ball. Behind every great man, there is a great woman. There is no exception here. They travelled to Vegas, Kauai, Europe, UK, Mexico and Australia, golfing, chilling and watching a few rugby games.

He was a devoted family man, spending loads of time with them hunting and fishing on Vancouver Island and beyond. It’s not a stretch to say he fished nearly every river on the Island. He had a pioneer spirit, going many places you shouldn’t in a camper and he caught his biggest Chinooks and shot his biggest bucks well into his 80’s. He was one of the original jiggers! He skied, coached baseball and did just about anything else you can imagine. His stories and sense of humour were legendary and he is now soaring with the eagles.

The family would like to thank Dr. Woodley, Dr. Manning, Palliative Home Care (Jasmine) and Luiza. All of whom did an amazing job looking after Roger in his final weeks and hours with care and compassion.

A Celebration of Roger’s Life will be held at The Victoria Golf Club on Saturday, April 12, 2025 at 1:00pm.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his honour to Thunder Indigenous Rugby at https://canadianrugbyfoundation.ca/index.php/thunder-indigenous-rugby/

Condolences may be offered to the family below.

McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com