BURNS, Ross E. – Passed away peacefully at Caressant Care Nursing Home on Mary Street, on Sunday, February 27, 2022 at the age of 93. Loving father of David Edward (Andrea), Mary Jane Cenzura (Jim) and Beverley Pauline Goodwin. Cherished Grandfather of Jason (Shantelle), Ayla, Jacob (Rebecca), Jessica and Shannon. Great-Grandfather of Kees, Zoey, Lily, Zoey, Scarlett and Kashton.  Dear brother of Pat (Pauline), Larry (Nancy), Judy Jewell (the late Gord), Pauline Stanley (Bev), and Carol (Sammie). Ross is predeceased by his parents Leo and Ursula Burns, and his siblings Allan (Blanche), Bill ( survived by Sandra), Peter (Alma), Rosalie (Ernie), and Mary.

As a boy, raised on the farm he was schooled in hard work and the value of a dollar. At 16, he pitched for ‘Russ Marks Valentia Men’s Team’ and started at left wing with Lou McTaggart in a junior game in Little Britian. He was a die-hard Leaf and Blue Jays fan and would travel to the Leaf Training Camp Exhibition games to see the ‘Big M’ play. When dad bought the farm in 1951 it was a challenge; no hydro, a team of horses, a few sows, some milk cows, and a herd of hens. As he progressed, he farmed 450 acres with his uncle, with two 45hp tractors! His 2 new John Deere purchases made him a very happy man; at 24T bailer "must have tied a million bails" and his 2130 tractor than 
best snow machine in all of North America and even parts of Quebec". He loved the newborn spring calves, the fresh cut hay and the grain in the bin when the combine rolled. He was a prolific sower, Bud McKee called him “Top Shelf!!”, Louie Kirley called him “The Corn King of Victoria County!”, Dan Cayley called him “The Rebel!”. Dad would tell us “work fast and learn to be quick”, but he enjoyed having fun and was a great humourist and storyteller. He was a socialite, loved to dance and would attend dances in Lindsay, Peterborough, Cobourg and Oshawa. He was the first farmer in West Ops to drive a Cadillac and the last survivor of his classmates from Kenny’s School SS#5 Ops.

In the 60’s he worked for Fred DeNure driving the school bus and really enjoyed the students. Fred was trained in the army as a mechanic and mentored him in the technical aspects such as using snow to clear the windshield rather than washer fluid, “learn to keep the costs down Ross”! He started his snow business in the early 60’s with a 45 Allis, no cab, 2-wheel drive. In 1970 he returned to school to obtain his high school diploma and he took the small engine repair course, he built a shop and loved fixing mowers. A job he occupied into his latter years. In 1987 he sold the farm and snow business to his son and went into real estate where he prospered for many years and made many associations. A member of the Lindsay Golf and Country Club, he walked 18 holes at 75-year-old and called Steve Maloney when he broke 40! Dad was a great whistler and vocalist. He studied guitar, mandolin and fiddle, and really enjoyed the Downeyville Irish Music Gatherings. He would say "I did it my way".

Visitation will take place at the Stoddart Funeral Home, 24 Mill Street, Lindsay on Friday, March 11th from 2:00 – 4:00p.m. and from 6:00 – 8:00pm. A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Saturday, March 12th at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 45 Russell Street East, Lindsay at 11:00a.m. Interment of cremated remains will take place at St. Mary’s Cemetery in the spring. If desired, a memorial donation to the Ross Memorial Hospital Foundation, United Way for the City of Kawartha Lakes, Humane Society of Kawartha Lakes or the Lindsay and District Sports Hall of Fame Bursary would be appreciated by the family. Online donations and condolences can be made through Stoddart Funeral Home. 

The family thanks the nurses and caregivers at the Ross Memorial Hospital and Caressant Care Nursing Home on Mary for all of their hard work and compassionate care. He affectionately called them his “waitresses”. 

To Donate Click Here: Ross Memorial Hospital Foundation

To Donate Click Here: The United Way for the City of Kawartha Lakes

To Donate Click Here: Humane Society of Kawartha Lakes

To Donate to Lindsay & District Sports Hall of Fame Bursary please mail cheque to Stoddart Funeral Home.