Obituary of Gordon Ross Paton

October 1, 1965 - Winnipeg, Manitoba

April 8, 2023 - Calgary, Alberta

Gordon Ross Paton beloved husband of Joann Paton (nee Weinberger) of Calgary, AB, passed away on Saturday, April 8, 2023, at the age of 57 years.

Ross was born to Gudrun and Harold Paton in Winnipeg, MB, on October 1, 1965. He graduated from Sisler High School in 1983 and worked various positions until he started at North American Life (NAL). Ross took the opportunity to move to Kitchener-Waterloo, Ontario when NAL was acquired by Manulife Financial.

Ross met Joann at a Manulife conference in Kitchener-Waterloo in July 1997, and they began dating in July 1998. Ross moved to Calgary, AB in the fall of 1998 and they were married February 7, 2001, in Invermere, BC.

Ross loved to be active and being outside as much as possible, even if it was a day spent in the garage taking care of his bikes – yes, he had three – washing and polishing his vehicles, cleaning his golf clubs, or coming up with some new way to ‘improve’ how the garage was organized. Ross also loved music and could be found in the house, yard, or garage with music streaming from his old school MP3 player or iPhone. If you were lucky, you may just hear him hum away to a song and / or play an imaginary keyboard. Ross especially loved Genesis, Phil Collins, Peter Gabriel, the WHO, Fleetwood Mac, Styx, and Bon Jovi to name a few. On rare occasions Ross gave into Joann’s pleading and attended concerts like Garth Brooks and Faith Hill and Tim McGraw where he found a new appreciation for country music (he did live in Calgary after all!).

The greatest loves of Ross’ life were his son, Ben, and daughter, Lauren (plus our cats Rocky and Winnie). Ross was the most supportive and loving Dad to the kids, only wanting to create the best life for them both. He attended many hockey tryouts, practices, and games with Ben and spent time taking Lauren to dance lessons, swimming, Girl Guides, and getting into lengthy discussions about film, especially Star Wars and Marvel movies. Ross’ favourite phrase was: ‘this is the first time that I’m a parent, and the first time you’re a kid, so we’re going to make mistakes.’ His other phrase was: ‘we’ll figure it out’.

Ross’ most loved place, besides the backyard patio where he could be found napping any summer afternoon around 3 PM, was Fernie, B.C.  He loved riding his mountain bike and challenging himself to ride the steepest of trails. He always said the price of the ‘flow’ on the way down was the climb to the top. Ross’ dream was to ride in Moab, Utah and, hopefully, he can do that now that he’s up in heaven.

Besides his loving wife, Ross is survived by his daughter, Lauren, his son, Ben, and their cat, Winnie. Ross is also survived by his sister Lori (Kurtis Fischer), his in-laws, Veronica and Don Weinberger, his brother-in-law, Darryl Weinberger (Cathy), and his nieces, Jade and Kaylynn, and nephews, Myles, and Thomas; his aunt, Ella Jackson, and his cousins, Garth Jackson (Rebecca) and Andrea Pilati (Herald).

Ross was predeceased by his mother, Gudrun (Hall) and father, Harold; his aunt Geri Cook; uncles Leo Hall and Andy Jackson.

A Celebration of Life will be held at McInnis & Holloway (Deerfoot South, 12281 – 40th Street SE, Calgary, AB) on Saturday, April 15, 2023, at 2:00PM. Reception to follow in the Hospitality Centre at the Funeral Home. Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed here.

If family and friends so desire, the family asks for donations and tributes to be made to Wolverines Hockey by email to treasurer@wolverineshockey.ca, noting the donation is on behalf of Ross Paton, or through TeamSnap https://go.teamsnap.com/forms/368467. If you wish to help a child get their own bicycle, please donate to RossPatonMemorial@gmail.com.

In living memory of Gordon Paton, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Deerfoot South, 12281 – 40th Street SE, Calgary, AB T2Z 4E6, Telephone: 403-203-0525.