LABRIE, Ross
—
Ross (Ernest Ross Alfred Joseph) Labrie will be remembered with sadness passing at the age of 85.
Ross is survived by his loving wife Gisela whom he married in 1966; and by his sons: Mark, who is in business in Australia; and Steven, who is a school administrator in Kelowna. He is further survived by his brother Warren; his grandchildren Kyla, Danika, Cohen, Josh, and Charlotte; and his nieces and nephew. Having grown up in Montreal, Ross went to McGill University for his M.A. He obtained his Ph.D. at the University of Toronto, and was the author of a number of books on American Literature, notably Catholic American literature. He became a Full Professor at the University of British Columbia, retiring in 2001.
Following his retirement, he was invited to join the faculty of Arts One, an interdisciplinary course that Ross believed was a model for how university courses should be structured and taught. Ross loved to travel. When not camping or cruising, Ross spent his vacations with his wife and sons in the Caribou where he developed a love of B.C., which reminded him of summers in the Laurentians north of Montreal. In Vancouver, he returned to the ice skating of his youth and became an active member of the Newman Association. This past year Ross and Gisela decided to move to Kelowna to be close to their son, Steven, his wife Allie, and grandchildren Kyla, Danika and Cohen.
Ross was a beloved father, brother, grandfather, uncle, mentor and friend. His presence will be missed, but the legacy of his kindness, wisdom and quiet strength will live in the memories and hearts of all who knew him.
His funeral mass will be held Monday, November 22, 2021, at 10:30 AM (PST) at St. Charles Garnier Catholic Church in Kelowna, BC. However, due to the current pandemic restrictions it will be by invitation only. The family would like to invite all who want to pay their respects to join by Livestream. A recording will be made available to view shortly thereafter.
If you wish to send a condolence, post photos, or share a memory, please scroll down the page to the area called “Condolences”.
Dear Gisela and family, how very sad a time it is of having Ross take his leave from you and all of us who. admired, revered and loved him in the Merton circle of friends. Ross became my mentor when I was a graduate student at UBC and subsequently a friend as he guided me through Merton scholarship by which we became friends. Such a man of honour, faith and dignity he was! I shall always treasure the many conversations we pursued as we shared our interests over lunches at White Spot, at Merton events and conference papers. May you find his spirit all around you as you move through your grief and remembrances. Ross’s favourite Merton poem was, “The Reader” which embodied the sensitivity of the details in a monk’s experience of spiritual experience. I shall read it tomorrow when I watch the ceremony. I am including a photo of Ross, Judith Hardcastle and me taken at a Merton event some years ago.
Dear Gisela, Marc and Steven,
we send our heartfelt condolences. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and we are thankful that we can join the funeral mass via live stream. Actually there have been only a few opportunities for us to meet Ross personally. But his kindness, humour and wisdom have always enriched our live.
May God´s solace turn your today´s pain into thankfulness for the long lasting time with your husband and father!
Carsten, Anna, Felix & Simon
Dear Gisela, Marc and Steven,
We are thankful to have known Ross over the years and are especially thankful for his work with the north shore pro-life. May God comfort you in His embrace in this difficult time, God bless.
Arie and Margaretha Smits
Dear Gisela, Marc and Steven,
I was so sad to read of Ross’s passing. He was a good friend to my husband, Peter, who died many years ago of ALS. Our family, Jill and John, will never forget his kindness to us at a very difficult time in our lives.
The tributes paid to Ross at his funeral from his family were heartfelt and moving. He was certainly ‘a good man.’
Dear Gisela,
So sad to hear about Ross. Have fond memories of the times we had at the Roncalli Club in the sixties.. You are in my thoughts and prayers in this difficult time.
Love… Levy
Dear Gisela ,
In my thoughts Ross, you and yours will always be – Ross, a true friend in laughter, shared worries and always there when in need. REQUIESCAT IN PACE, ROSS .
Annemarie Locher
Ross was a very special friend, since the sixties. He was such a wonderful man and I will miss him. My love and condolences to Gisela, Mark and Stephen, and his many friends.
Mary Reilly