Remembering and celebrating Pastor Doug Ross

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Doug med.jpg

Pastor Doug Ross died peacefully at Peterborough Regional Health Centre on Wednesday morning, July 29, 2020 in his 65th year. Beloved husband and best friend of Kim Ross (nee Newman). Loving father of Joe, Kirk (Crystal), Raymond and James. Fondly remembered by his grandchildren Alyssa, Matthew, Samantha, Koral, Brooke, Lily, Damian, Jakob, Olivia, Akaterine, and great grandchildren Mckenna, Carter and Cash. Dear brother of Shirley Powell, Wanda Penny and June Ross. Predeceased by his parents Fraser Ross and Jessie Ross (nee Fraser) and by his granddaughter Chloe. Also lovingly remembered by his brother-in-laws Kenneth, Kevin and Kirby and by his many nieces and nephews.

Doug started his career in woodworking, sold cars for many years, owned Eddie Shack's Donuts & Snacks in Newmarket, Mississauga and Rossco's Cafe in downtown Oshawa. He and Kim opened Granny Williams, a confectionery manufacturing business in the early 1980s which they owned and operated for over 30 years. Doug had been very involved in politics in Durham Region, and also served as a School Board Trustee and Chairman for many years.  A pastor and evangelist for many years in locations throughout Ontario, his final church was The Lighthouse in Haliburton.

How fitting that among the last scriptures quoted by Doug in his last Sunday sermon (July 26th) were Romans 8:38-39:

“For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

May you know His mighty love personally today! We do know our dear Pastor Doug is basking in it.

A glorious farewell to Pastor Doug

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If you weren’t able to join in the live stream of Doug’s Celebration of Life Service, we have a low-resolution version of it below.

Held at the same Oshawa church where he began his ministry, many friends and family shared their memories of a remarkably accomplished, well-loved and appreciated man. He is and will continue to be sorely missed.

Living and loving to the utmost here on earth, we know he does to an even higher degree now in the heavenly home where, one glorious day, we will see him again.

 

If you prefer a higher-resolution version, you can watch the Oshawa church replay of the service on their Facebook page here.

 

Doug Ross's last sermon: plumbing the reaches of God’s love for YOU

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“What’s your specialty?” a preacher once asked Pastor Doug. Stumped at first, he pondered the many areas he was not a specialist in, then replied with an answer obvious to anyone who knew him: “The love of Jesus Christ.”

Doug Ross exemplified and lived out the everlasting, overwhelming, powerful love of God and—as only our Lord could arrange it—that divine Love formed the focus of his very last sermon (viewable below: apologies for the poor video quality).

 
 

In his message, packed as always with scriptural back-up, he wonderfully shows the stages of accepting and living in that love.

1.     We come to Him with all our weary heaviness (Matt. 11:28);
2.    We stay there. “For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Rom. 8:38-9);
3.     We GO, because “there is too much not to share,” Doug reminded us and lived out so well. “Go into all the world and proclaim the good news to everyone” (Mark 16:15).

Beloved Pastor Doug has 'graduated' to Glory

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With heavy hearts we have the sad news that dear Pastor Doug, in the fight of his life after an apparent stroke, left us for heaven very early this morning. His wife Kim along with their four sons were by his side last evening and through the night. We take our solace in the knowledge that he is rejoicing in the presence of his Saviour whom he loves passionately. For “we have this hope, as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure” (Heb. 6:19).

Ever-friendly and encouraging, few served their Lord so joyfully and whole-heartedly. Doug had time for everyone he met, whether in church, the supermarket, along the sidewalk or in any of his many community interests and endeavours.

He has run his race and finished so, so well. He seems to have left us too soon, and we will miss him tremendously. Please be in prayer for Kim, the family, friends and the congregation as we grieve together.