On Friday, May 15, 2009, the Venerable Percy Ross died of a heart attack. Percy celebrated his 80^th Birthday on February 23 this year. He was ordained as a Priest on June 24, 1993, and was in charge of the parish of St. Bartholomew’s in Pelican Narrows. In 1994 he was appointed Archdeacon of Saskatchewan by Bishop Burton. He then was appointed Priest in Charge of Holy Trinity in Prince Albert on June 1, 1996 until him and his wife Ruth moved to Deschambault Lake in 2003. He retired in 2004 and moved to Sturgeon Lake with his wife, the Rev. Ruth Ross.

It was a gift of God to the Clergy of this Diocese that Percy was with us for our Clergy day just two weeks ago, in full form, encouraging us, and then he was present at the Indian Council with the Clergy and Lay Readers, directing the choir and letting us know when our singing was too quiet or slow! Percy had been talking more lately about retirement and going home, and we may not have fully understood what that meant but now we know that he has found rest from his labours, that he is at home with the Father.

Percy Ross was a priest and retired or not, he was in his heart and always a teacher and a preacher. There was passion, conviction and clarity in what he taught and preached. This came out of a real faith, Percy knew who Jesus was and he knew who he was, a Christian, a man of Christian faith and obedience. His clear convictions and his unashamed speech could make people squirm, but that is part of the role of a teacher and preacher. You knew where Percy stood whether it was on the question of Bingo or the Bible. And here is where our remembering this Christian gentleman should stir us all up, especially the clergy and lay readers, Percy knew his Bible, he knew the Scriptures and in his own language. Percy was also committed, he wanted to see things get done.

(excerpt from Bishop Hawkins’ sermon at the Holy Communion service for Percy Ross at St. Albans Cathedral Church on May 16, 2009)