April 12, 1937 – December 2, 2019
After a courageous battle, Ross passed away peacefully; with his family at his side, on Monday, December 2, 2019 at the South Huron Hospital. Ross is survived by his wife of 60 years, Betty (Morningstar) and daughters Colleen of Sarnia, Christine of Exeter and Janet (Dave) of Grand Bend. He will be missed by his pet and best friend Holly as well as his grandson Jeremy (Lindsay) Weston and three great-grandsons Leam, Damien, and Ryder. Also survived by his sisters-in-law Ethel Ferguson, Helen Vandenbogaerde, and several nieces, nephews, and cousins. Ross is predeceased by his parents Jerry and Effie Ferguson, his brothers Don (Jean), Lyle (Dorothy), James, two nephews Jamie and Carey, sister-in-law Audrey Ross (Jim), and brother-in-law Jim Vandenbogaerde. Ross was a member of the Masonic Lodge for over 58 years. During his membership he achieved various accolades with the most prestigious being from the Grand Lodge – The Grand Masters Meritorious Award for Distinguished Service for his work with the Canadian Blood Services.
Visitation will be held at the Haskett Funeral Home, 370 William St, EXETER on Thursday from 7-9 PM where a Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, December 6th at 11 AM. A Masonic Service will be held in the funeral home on Thursday evening at 6:45 PM under the auspices of Lebanon Forest Lodge, No. 133 A.F. & A.M., Exeter. Cremation with inurnment, Exeter Cemetery.
Donations to the South Huron Hospital Foundation or a charity of your choice would be appreciated by the family.
We are always willing to go where called upon but this image shows a visual of the communities that our included in our initial transportation fee. We offer a 40km radius from any of our 5 locations (Arva (London), Exeter, Lucan, Seaforth, and Zurich). Any mileage beyond the included 40km will be charged a rate of $2.50/km (one way travel only).
Elaine Ford
My condolence to Rosses family in his passing. He was a very proud man. ????
Bill & Joanne Hodge
Janet,Christine & family ,so sorry for your loss
Janet Sullivan
I am so sorry to read of Ross’ passing and want to send both condolences and thanks for the years Ross spent leading the Exeter Blood Donor Clinic. The staff of Canadian Blood Services are humbled by his ongoing dedication to our cause.
Scott Bogart
Sorry to hear of the passing of Ross. Always enjoyed dealing with Ross at the store.
Scott, Lynda, Luke & Heath Bogart
Marty(Exeter Tire)
Really sorry for your loss, always enjoyed seeing Ross at the shop!
John Gibson
Ross was a steadfast support to anyone he came in contact with!
Ross’s Masonic family stretches far and wide and we will all miss his presence and endless abilities Ross was a great mentor and took great delight in making sure details were right !
I was disappointed not to be able to attend Ross’s Masonic service. My sincere sympathy to his family
Jim Wiseman
So sorry to hear of Ross’s passing. My sincere condolences to the family.
I met Ross in the mid ‘70’s and worked with him at the same company, and we became good friends. Always a joy to talk to, to be around and lots of laughs. Although I hadn’t seen him the last few years, he will be missed.
Our sincere regards to Betty and the family.
Jim & Deb Wiseman.
Rena Oag
Betty and Little Holly,
I’m so sorry to hear about Ross. I will always hold a special place in my heart for the three of you. Take care your whole family.
Rena
Lynn Roncone
Betty, Christine, Colleen and Janet,
I am sorry to hear about the passing of Ross. I recall when our families got together for visits and the great times we had. As time passes on , more quickly as we get older it seems, may you you remember those memories created and cherish them.
With sympathy,
Lynn (MacAlpine) , Aurelio Roncone and family
Gary & Dolores McGregor
Our condolences to Betty and family on the loss of a great father and husband and a Friend. Many good times were enjoyed in the past years ..
HENNY PARKER
Betty & family,
I am so grateful for the people whose kindness, caring and thoughfulness are in this world. Ross was certainly one of those as he came and talked with Doug in his last years. He was a good friend and Doug appreciated him very much.
My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Lynn Huey
Dear Betty, Christine, Colleen, Janet and Family
I was so sad to hear of Ross’s passing. My sincere Sympathy. Keeping all of you in my thoughts as you go through the next few days and months.
Hug!
Lynn
John Wise
Betty and Family: Gayle and I would like to express our sincere sympathy on Ross’s passing. Unfortunately I have
not been in contact with Ross for some time since our move to London. I always enjoyed being in his presence, he was truly a great man and loved his involvement in Masonry. At one time it came up that he and I were born on
the same day, April 12th, 1937. With his humour he asked me what time I was born, just to see who was the eldest.
He will be missed by all.
John Wise
Brenda palsa
Betty, Colleen, Chrissy, Janet- my heartfelt sympathy on the loss of your husband and father- always a gentle soul and great sense of humour – he would have a way of a smile that you wondered what he was thinking- cherish his memory
Janet Neumeister
Our condolences to the family, it was an honour to have gotten to meet Ross while at Janet and Dave’s wedding…we know he will be sadly missed our thoughts and prayers go out to all who were blessed to have known him.
Janet Neumeister
and
Dan Culliton
Barb Sitzes
To Betty and family our deepest condolences Barb and Ken Sitzes
Jack Glavin
Christine And family
So ,sorry to hear of your Dads passing . He was good man with a big heart, always willing to help anyone.
Jack Glavin
Jack Glavin
Christine And family
So ,sorry to hear of your Dads passing . He was good man with a big heart, always willing to help anyone.
Margaret Prout
To Betty and family…
Sincere condolences to all your family.
Ron and Karen Simpson
Thinking of you and your family at this sad time , sorry to hear of your loss
Pat .{Wagner} Dawson
Betty and families.
My sincere sympathy with the passing of Ross. I always enjoyed catching up on news,.happenings with our visits over the years. I was very thankful for
my visit with Helen and your daughter in Oil Springs at The Golf Course recently.
I will be thinking of everyone at this time and the Holiday Season ..Hugs
ROBERT MAWLAM
Condolences to Betty and girls Ross was a great person.
Jim and Barry Patterson
Dear Betty and the Ferguson Family,
We were very saddened to hear of the passing of Ross. We recall fondly his association with the Masons in Sarnia District, when our father Bruce Patterson and our mother Lillian were members of the “69’ers” group. Our parents often spoke so kindly of Ross and of you.
Please accept our profound sympathy at this very sad time, and know that you are in our thoughts and prayers.
Sincerely,
Jim Patterson
Barry Patterson
Dianne McLean
Betty and family: Thoughts and prayers are with all of you at this difficult time. You have our Deepest Sympathy.
Dianne McLean and Carl Gadsby
Jerry Mathers
Betty and family……….Will miss Ross at our afternoon coffee where we would try to solve the problems of the world. God Bless Jerry and Phyllis Mathers
John Pryde/ Marilyn Chappel
Betty & Girls: Our heartfelt condolences on the loss of a genuinely fine gentleman. As an irrigation client of Ross’ for over 25 years, I always looked forward to our extended conversations which always got around to the Masonic & his family – he was very proud of both!
Sincerely, John & Marilyn
P. Waynne Charlton
To Betty and family; our sincere condolences on this sad time in your lives. The lodge and the community as a whole, has lost a very solid member.
Willi and Waynne Charlton
Chris Michalek
Colleen and the Ferguson family,
We send our deepest sympathies on your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.
Frank and Chris Michalek
SHARON CAMPBELL
SORRY TO HEAR ABOUT YOUR HUSAND AND FARTHER.MY SINCERE CONDOLENCES MY PRAYERS ARE WITH YOUS
JIm and Kathy Thomson
Colleen, Christine, Janet and Betty, So sorry for your loss of your father and husband. Our thoughts and prayers are with you through this hard time.
Jim and Kathy Thomson
Donna Regier
Betty,Chris,Colleen,Janet and Families,
My sincere condolences on the passing of Ross.I remember all the talking,laughing and good times had when you Chris had the restaurant. Your Dad was a soft spoken, gentle man with a ear to ear grin. Cherish all your wonderful memories,as i’m Sure you have many.
Donna ( Heywood ) Regier ????
Marie Sheppard
Betty & family, sincere condolences to you on the passing of Ross. I remember all the good times we had at Oakdale community & S.S. Number 8 school, Ross always had the latest news when we had current events time. He will be missed but it helps to remember all the good times you had together.
Marie( Thompson) Sheppard
Jim and Maureen Craig
Betty and family, we are sorry to hear about Ross , our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Jim and Maureen.
John & Liz Stephens
From South Carolina Janet and families . Our deepest sympathy for your loss
Rob Bilcke
Always enjoyed chatting with Ross. Worked with him for many years in the old JMR days. My sincere condolences to his family.
Marion McCarter
Betty, Colleen, Chris, Janet and families
Thinking of you at this sad and difficult time. May all of his wonderful memories become treasures you will carry with you forever in your hearts. A gracious man. Deepest Sympathy.
Marion McCarter
Melonie Miller
Our sympathies to the Ferguson family.
Ross was a good guy who cared about his family & community …
He was very supportive to his Masonic brothers & was a good mentor.
Barry & Melonie Miller
Dave Frayne and Cathy Cade
To Betty,Colleen, Chris and Janet:
Sorry to learn of Ross’s passing.
He was a very talented man and enjoyed his work, glad to have known him.
Thinking of you during this difficult time.
Judy & Gerard Grenier
Chrissy & Family,
So sorry for your loss. Our thoughts & prayers are with you at this difficult time.
Judy & Gerard Grenier
Dianne Blackwell
So sorry he was a great Uncle and friend !!! loved him dearly and He would do anything to help anyone out he proved that time and time again. So fortunate to have seen him the month before his passing with family in London at a show Wayne had been playing at with Good Bros. Missing you !!!
Don & Mary Saunders
To Betty and family our prayers and thoughts are with you at this difficult time. Don & Mary Saunders (nee Mitchell)
Elaine Ford
My condolence to His family and friends.
Wayne Bannon
To Betty and Family. Ross was a strong advocate for and a personal mentor of Masonic history, ritual and tradition.
Always grateful for his guidance and support. Sincere condolences from Wayne and Bente Bannon
Ila and Ed Barnes
No matter how old we are, it’s never easy to lose a parent. I have many precious memories of your father. My thoughts are with you.
Love always
Irvine Armstrong
To Betty and the Ferguson family. Sorry to read the death of Ross. I got to now Ross when he installed my lawn sprinkler system. He was a real gentlemen. We had some long talks together. Betty all the best to you . A friend. Irv.
Linda & Don Hart
Betty and family .Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time.
Linda & Don Hart
Linda
I would like to send a large “HUG” to Ross’s family from his cousin Shirlley Mater, and her daughter Linda who had been in touch some time ago when Ross was doing the Family Tree. Also Shirlley’s sons Larry and Ricky Turner. Remember all the good memories you have enjoyed with Ross.
Al Blommaert
To Betty and Family….sorry to hear about Ross. I am grateful to have been your neighbour. I always enjoyed my chats with Ross when he would holler over or stop in while walking Holly. It was an honour to have known him.. He will be missed Keeping you all in my thoughts.
MaryAnn & Rick Pinter
Dear Colleen, Christine & family,
Our sincere condolences on your family’s loss. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Karen & Steve Cameron
Thinking of you all at this time of sorrow. May all your memories get you through this difficult time.
Brenda Hale
Betty, Colleen, Christine, Janet and David,
I was so sorry to hear of Ross”s passing. He was a great guy, who I enjoyed many conversations and visits with. Ross was a great story teller, and had a wonderful laugh. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Love, Brenda Hale
Kevin and Joanne Bryson
To Betty, Janet and Dave, Chrissy and Colleen.
So sorry for your loss. We are here for all of you. Take Care and God Bless. Remember all the memories.
Darren Rau
My Condolence to the Ferguson Family
I had the pleasure of working with Ross at JMR for many years. He was a great guy and I am sure will be sadly missed.
joan finkbeiner
To the Ferguson family. Many hugs to you. It hurts to lose some one so close but he is in a much better place now. Just remember all the times you had together. You will remember for many years all the special days you had. We are here for you at any time.
John and Jane Musser
So sad to hear but cherish those memories.. We are thinking of you Janet and family ❤️
Larry taylor
Kris and family.
I am so sorry to hear about Ross. He was a great guy and I always enjoyed chats with him. He had a dry sense of humour. Thinking of you all.
Kathy Kirk
Chrissy and family,
Sorry to hear of the passing of your father….Condolences to the family..
MERVYN DURNIN
Our sincere sympathy to the family.
James R. Brisbin
Ross was instrumental in facilitating my affiliation with the Masonic Lodge in Exeter: a move that has had life changing ramifications. I shall forever be grateful for his help. RIP my brother.
jack reginald triebner
Our Condolence to the Ferguson Family for your loss of a Husband and Father .
From Betty and Myself .
Jean Hern
Betty & Family:
My deepest sympathy to you! I consider Ross, and you too, to be among my good friends. We had many good times as neighbours in Exeter and I treasure the memories.
Jean Hern
Karen & Ken Werden
Sending condolences & prayers to the family. It was an honour to know Ross.
Kate Farwell
Dear Christine & family,
My sincere condolences on your family’s loss. Thinking of you!
Friedhelm Hoffmann
My condolences to the Family. Ross was an inspire for our Masonic fraternity but especially for myself as for many others. Your dedicated mentorship and the support by your family that you could do so will stay for ever in our memory.
Ron and Anne Helm
To Betty and family Anne and I wish to express our most sincere condolences on the passing of Ross. Ross will be greatly missed by his Lodge brothers.
Ron and Anne Helm