Ross Stewart Procter

Peacefully at Knollcrest Lodge, Milverton on Monday, Aug. 25, 2025, Ross Stewart Procter of Belgrave passed away three days short of his 98th birthday.

 

The husband of the former Mary Louise (Cameron) Procter, who predeceased him in 2017, Ross was the cherished dad of Cam and Laurie of Belgrave, Louise Procter Maio and Tony Maio of Aurora, Don and MJ Procter of Belgrave, Christopher Procter of Dundas and Anne Procter of Belgrave. He was the loving grandpa of 10 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

 

Ross was the brother of George and Elizabeth Procter of Belgrave and Ruth Alton of Lucknow.

 

He was predeceased by his parents, Stewart and Alice (Imlay) Procter, brother Charles (Grace) Procter, sister Mary Thomas and brother-in-law Ken Alton.

 

To his family, he was a son, brother, husband, father and grandfather. To others he was a salesman, speaker, poet, world traveller, farmer and cowboy.

 

Born on the farm in Morris Township, he loved growing up in the country surrounded by his family and his beloved grandfather, Abraham Procter.

 

He graduated in Animal Science in 1950 from the University of Guelph. 

 

While he was a District Sales Manager for Ralston Purina for 17 years, home base for Ross and Mary was in Burlington. There they started a family, participated in the community and church, made friends for a lifetime, and began their extensive travels. 
But Ross never lost his interest in farming. In 1956, in partnership with his brother Charles, later joined by brother George, he founded Bodmin Ltd., an over-1,200-acre mixed farm.

 

By 1967, Ross and Mary moved their family to Morris Township so he could be a more active participant in the company. He always claimed, “his children were the best crop they ever raised”.

 

His degree served him well as he raised Shorthorn cattle and showcased them at the Royal Winter Fair. He was also a former President of the International Shorthorn Council, where he made friends worldwide.

 

While he loved cows, his passion was horses, being introduced to them at an early age. His greatest adventure was celebrating the 100-year anniversary of the Western Stock Growers’ Association in 1996. They staged a six-day cattle drive across the 640,000-acre Suffield Military Base. Populated by 1,514 cowboys riding 1,700 horses, they herded 2,200 cattle from Buffalo to Medicine Hat, Alberta. It really was the adventure of a lifetime and fulfilled Dad’s dream of being a cowboy, as he trailered two of his horses to Alberta to participate.

 

Travelling was also a keen interest of Ross’s, he dogsledded on Baffin Island, visited Antarctica and other points far and wide. This led to his next role as an “after-dinner speaker”. Slide projector in hand, he was often invited to deliver travelogues, showing his slides and sharing his travel tales.

 

Losing Mary after 66 years, his final home was Knollcrest Lodge in Milverton where he was warmly cared for. At 92 years of age, he added wedding singer to his resume. He performed at a nurse’s wedding, held at the home, and charmed everyone. While his rendition of “Let Me Call You Sweetheart” was touching, his rousing rendition of “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” hit it out of the park.

 

Dad, you packed a lot of living into your almost 98 years. Love you and toodle pip!

 

A celebration of Ross’ life will be held at the Wingham Columbus Centre on Thursday, Sept. 11 from 1-4 p.m. Memories will be shared at 2 p.m. Final resting place: Brandon Cemetery, Belgrave.

 

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to a charity of one’s choice would be appreciated, and may be made through the McBurney Funeral Home, Wingham.

 

Online condolences may be left at mcburneyfuneralhome.com.