Obituary of Ross Allen SPENCER

March 28, 1958 – Calgary, Alberta
September 28, 2021 – Calgary, Alberta

Ross Spencer, beloved husband of Susan Spencer (Macht) of Calgary, AB, passed away on Tuesday, September 28, 2021 at the age of 63 years. 

Ross was born in Calgary, AB, but grew up in Calgary, Cranbrook and Lethbridge.  Ross started work at the age of fourteen along side his Dad, Jack, in Cranbrook, BC, delivering product for Alpha Milk on weekends. His career progressed from warehouse dock receiver to driver/salesman and then to distribution. He was the Distribution Manager with Saputo when he retired in June 2019 after an unprecedented forty-three years with the same organization.  Ross shared his life with his wife Susan for over forty years after meeting her at the age of twenty-one.  His cherished moments were the birth of his three daughters, Allison, Katie and Emily. He was even more proud the day his grandson Jack was born on November 27, 2020. Ross was a car enthusiast with a passion for drag racing his 1955 Chevy Bel Air that he raced competitively since 2000. He was one of the founding members of the Street Wheelers Car Club in Lethbridge, AB, and was a member of the Medicine Hat Drag Racing Association. In the 1980's and 1990's he was a member of the Ridge Runners Jeep Club and raced his 1946 Willy's Jeep. Ross loved to golf and spent many days after retirement golfing the Calgary and Phoenix area with his close friends. His other favourite hobby was building model kits. He started building kits when he was a young boy and was excited to share his projects with his best friend Dave.  When Ross retired he spent hours in the basement perfecting them even to the finest details of the engine and undercarriage.  Ross remained fit and active as a member of the Trico Fitness Centre. He loved walking daily in the Deer Ridge and Fish Creek neighbourhood. He tracked every step on his Fitbit and his goal each day was to compete with his daughters to outstep them at thirteen-thousand steps. One of his favourite purchases was the Spin Bike in January 2021. It was well used in the recreational room while watching Formula 1, Nascar or PGA golf. His most memorable vacation was Disneyland in 2005 and that tradition continued with many, many trips to Dana Point, California. He was also able to travel on his first trans-continental vacation to visit his daughter Katie in Australia in February 2020. Ross will be most remembered for his dry sense of humour, integrity, and strength. Don't ever let anyone say you can't do something.

Besides his loving wife Susan, Ross is survived by his daughters and son-in-law, Allison and Brian Payne, Katie Spencer, and Emily Spencer; and grandson Jack Cohen Payne. He is also survived by his sister and brother-in-law, Arla and Wayne Swift; and his pets, Riley and Henry. He was predeceased by his parents, Joyce and Jack Spencer; and his pets, Sid and Puma.
 
Cruise up to the ‘Celebration of Ross’ Life’ that will be held on Saturday, October 9, 2021, at 2:00 pm. at Kirkham’s International Motor Truck Collection located at 828 45 Street North, Lethbridge AB. A reception will follow and the family are encouraging people to stay and enjoy food and drinks and share their stories and photos of Ross. Those attending will be asked to confirm one of the following, (A) COVID vaccination (date requested), OR (B) a negative COVID test (within 72 hours), OR (C) Medical exemption AND valid government identification (with name & date of birth) OR (D) Under 12 years of age. Condolences, memories and photos can also be shared and viewed at www.mcinnisandholloway.com. 

The family would like to thank Unit forty-six at the Tom Baker Cancer Centre, and specifically, Patricia, Kurt, Agnes, Asmeret, Cindy, Dr. Cao, Dr. Duggan at the BMT Clinic.    

In living memory of Ross Spencer, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Fish Creek, 14441 Bannister Road SE, Calgary, AB T2X 3J3, Telephone: 403-256-9575.