ROSS: Peacefully on Tuesday, May 7, 2013, Alan Alexander Ross passed away at the Riverdale Personal Care Home, Rivers, Manitoba at the age of 88 years. Born January 31, 1925, Alan was the second eldest of five children born to Alex and Hannah (Baily) Ross, on his father's homestead near Neville, Saskatchewan. He was predeceased by his parents, Alex and Hannah; wife Cecelia Ross (Dunn), and sister Marjorie McIntyre. Alan is survived by his four children: Gavin of Vancouver, BC, Merlin (Leslie) of White Rock, BC, Ina (Russell) of Brandon, Manitoba, and Scott (Deanna) of Winnipeg, Manitoba; four grandchildren: Ariel and Amelia (Merlin), and Callum and Keely (Scott) as well as three siblings; Mary Ross of Rivers, Manitoba; James Ross (Betty, deceased) of Calgary, Alberta; and Shirley Hunt (Fred) of Oak Lake, Manitoba. Alan married Cecelia Eileen Dunn on April 6, 1950 in Brandon, MB, with attendants Marg Riddick (Ford) and Les Dyer. From a very early age, Alan worked with his hands. He worked on a wide variety of projects, including, but not limited to the building of many roads in Western Manitoba; a lumber yard near Tisdale, Saskatchewan; working as a heavy equipment mechanic with gravel crushing companies, and automotive repair at Crosstown Tempo, Rivers. But most of the 1960s and 1970s, Alan and Cecelia owned a mixed farm near Bradwardine, Manitoba. Alan's ingenuity often solved many challenges his careers brought him. Many people have commented on Alan's ability to repair pretty much everything from a lawn mower to a large D8 Cat dozer. Alan knew people far and wide, due to his variety of interests. In his retirement, Alan rekindled his interest in horses, and owned several purebred Arabian horses. Clearly Alan did not have an easy life. Instead we choose to celebrate the Alan Ross who would help pretty much anyone. Special thanks to Riverdale Personal Care home staff, for their ongoing care; Palliative Care Volunteers; and Celina Ross, for going above and beyond to ensure Alan's last while was as good as it could possibly be. Memorial Service took place at Rivers United Church on Monday, June 3, 2013. Rev. Glenna Beauchamp officiated. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Riverdale Health Services District Foundation Inc., Box 222, Rivers, MB R0K 1X0, Rivers United Church, Box 444, Rivers, MB R0K 1X0 or Addictions Foundation of Manitoba, 3rd Floor, 1031 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg, MB R3G 0R8.