Albert "Ross" Ashforth

ASHFORTH, Albert Ross

Ross Ashforth, a son, brother, husband, father, uncle, grandfather, great grandfather and long time resident of Gravenhurst, Ontario, passed away peacefully on February 23, 2021 at the age of 95.

Ross was pre-deceased by his first wife, Phyllis Hewson, in 1986 and his second wife, Joyce Hewson, in 2001. He is survived by his brother, Blake, of Calgary; his children, Roy, wife Pat and their children, Dawn (Blair), Ryan (Brekyn), Julianne and Courtney; Dave, partner Anna; and former spouse Laurie and their children, Jamie and Kevin; Blake, wife, Deb; and Karen, husband, Blair and their children, Bennett and Cameron; and Ross’ great grandchildren, Dean and Blayke. He is also survived by Joyce’s children, Lyn (Russ) and their daughter, Rebecca; John (Carol) and their children, Tyler and Sierra; Brian (Barb) and their daughter, Hannah; Kathy (Paul) and their children, Ted, Emily and Laura; Mark (Melanie) and their children, Sarah, Connor and Sheldon; and Jo (Harold) and their daughter, Amelia.

Ross was born in Toronto on December 8, 1925 to Albert (“Bert”) Ashforth and Annetta (“Nettie”) Ross. He graduated from University of Toronto with a degree in Commerce and Finance, and obtained his Chartered Accountant designation. He married Phyllis Hewson in 1950, who he met at a dance class when they were both in high school. He worked as the Comptroller and Assistant General Manager at Guaranty Trust in Toronto, before moving to Gravenhurst in 1972 to become the Treasurer for the town. Ross married Joyce Hewson in 1991.

Ross’ interests were varied and he was very accomplished. A lover of the arts in general, his many oil paintings are highly regarded, his precision and workmanship in woodworking was second to none, he was a lover of classical music, especially the Messiah by Handel and anything Beethoven. His gardening prowess was also well-known, with his and Joyce’s majestic garden placing first in a Canada-wide competition for towns with a population of less than 15,000. Ross was also an accomplished pianist, obtaining his “Grade 10” level from the The Royal Conservatory of Music. An avid gamer, Ross was also well known for his “scrabble” prowess. He also travelled extensively, was an accomplished swimmer and was very fond of sun bathing and kayaking.

Over the decades, Ross’ Toronto homes, his home in Gravenhurst and his family cottage on Lake Muskoka gave him the perfect settings he needed to demonstrate his carpentry, handy-man, gardening and oil painting talents. At the cottage, his docks and deck were solidly built, and his diving tower was well-used and well-known around the lake.

Ross was also a dedicated member of his community and volunteered in a variety of groups and associations, including The Muskoka Concert Association, Trinity United Church (including The Garden Committee), Steamship Historical Society,  Muskoka Arts and Crafts, Gravenhurst Seniors Centre, Canadian Cancer Society, The Rotary Club, Communities in Bloom, Gravenhurst Horticultural Society and Meals on Wheels.

Special thanks to caregiver, Virginia Wilson, who was instrumental in assisting Ross in his latter years at his home in Gravenhurst.

He will be laid to rest in the Torrance Cemetery. If desired, donations in Ross’ memory may be made to Gravenhurst Horticultural Society, Muskoka Arts and Crafts, Hill House Hospice (Richmond Hill) or the Canadian Cancer Society.

During COVID-19, visitations are conducted on a schedule and by appointment only. Groups of 24 will be permitted to visit with the family during the following reserved times:

Visitation: Saturday, March 20, 2021 from 11:00 – 11:30, AM & 11:45 – 12:15 PM.

You must either reserve your time online through our website by clicking the 'RSVP' button below next to the visitation time period you wish to attend, or call Cavill Funeral Home (705-687-3242) to reserve your time. Please be sure to list all names of those attending in your party.

Private Funeral: Saturday, March 20, 2021 at 2:30 PM. You are welcome to join in to watch the funeral via Live Stream. Log in instructions below:

Forget Me Not Ceremonies - Live Stream Instruction

Below the RSVP section, click the green box which says "click here to access the video" - you will be redirected to the Forget Me Not Ceremonies Registration Page
Enter your E-mail and click 'Submit'
You will then receive an e-mail from Forget Me Not Ceremonies with the next steps of registration
Once you are registered you will receive a link to the ceremony 'waiting room' (this is the link that will take you to the service)
The service will begin at 2:30 PM on Saturday, March 20, 2021

NOTE: please login 15 minutes prior to the beginning of the service to avoid technical error.