Ross Smith

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Ross S. Smith. He died at home in early July after enduring an extended period of illness. Ross is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Diane, and their two children, Michelle and Kevin (Meghan); along with five grandchildren who he loved dearly – Kailyn, Conor, Jakob, Ryan and Keegan. He is lovingly remembered by his younger brother Murray and is predeceased by his older sister Arline and his daughter Karen.

Born in Winnipeg, Manitoba in April of 1939, Ross was the middle child and beloved son of Robert (Bob) and Greta Smith. Sadly, he did not get to know his dad until 1946, a year after World War II ended, as his dad left for Europe when Ross was only 6 months old and returned to Canada when Ross was 7. After the War, the family moved to many different towns for Bob’s career. They relocated to British Columbia in 1946, and the first BC home was a large working farm and orchard in White Rock. From there they moved to several BC towns, including New Westminster, Deep Cove, Houston and Williams Lake. Ross was an accomplished athlete – on the track as a sprinter, and on the field as a football player and a baseball catcher. While living in Deep Cove, he was also on the Mt. Seymour ski patrol. Later in life when his parents owned a house on the lake in Osoyoos, he was a frequent water skier.

Ross began articling to become a Chartered Accountant (CA) for Rickard Crawford & Co in Williams Lake in 1956. In 1959 he moved to Vancouver. His roommate, Warren McKibbin, who was also articling for his CA, introduced Ross to Diane Robinson. Warren was dating Diane’s best friend, Kathleen King, and the four of them went to a BC Lions game. Ross and Diane hit it off immediately. They were engaged in May 1962 and married in November of the same year. Ross earned his CA with Peat Marwick and Mitchell in October 1962 and became partner in 1973. In 1984, Ross was promoted to Managing Partner of the Vancouver office. He was a guiding force during the 1989 merger of Peat Marwick and Thorne Riddell to create KPMG Peat Marwick Thorne (now KPMG LLP). After the merger, Ross was appointed Regional Vice-Chair of the newly merged firm for Vancouver and the Lower Mainland. In 1993, he was promoted to Managing Partner of the BC region.

Hard work, resilience, honesty, and integrity were traits Ross demonstrated daily, which led to strong trusting relationships and management of some of the largest accounts in the city. In recognition of both his professional and community contributions, Ross was honoured by his peers to receive the Chartered Accountant Institute of BC’s Fellow Chartered Accountant designation in 1990 and the Lifetime Achievement award in 2011.

When Ross retired from KPMG in 1998, he was coveted as a board member for many different organizations, including Canfor Corporation, HSBC Bank Canada, the Jim Pattison Group, K-Bro Linen, Kal Tire, Marsh Canada, Rotherham Holdings, and UBC Board of Governors. At one point, he was serving on 10 different boards simultaneously. He was also a highly sought-after advisor to KPMG, and his close connection to many partners was incredibly important to him.

His involvement with charitable organizations is equally extensive, including St. Christopher’s School Society (30 years as chair), Junior Achievement, the Sea-to-Sky Foundation, Vancouver Public Library (where a room is named in his honour), Vancouver Playhouse Theatre, and Vancouver Symphony Society.

Beyond his professional life, Ross was a dedicated family man, who loved trips to Hawaii when his kids were young, Kelowna with his grandchildren, Europe with Diane and his close friend, George DesBrisay, and many other annual trips with friends or family, especially with Barb and Ken Annandale. His athletic background created a strong love for sports among his family, with skiing at Whistler playing a central role in their lives. Diane and Ross started renting in Whistler’s Creekside in the late 70s and then bought in Brio in 1984. Ross and Diane finished building their dream home in Whistler Cay Heights in 2003. Whistler is still like home to the family.

Ross was incredibly practical and believed everyone has their time. He did not dwell on his fate, even when he endured so much pain at the end. Ross’s celebration of life will be held at Capilano Golf and Country Club on Friday, August 21 at 2pm. All who knew and loved him are warmly welcomed to attend and share stories of Ross.

In lieu of flowers, donations could be made in Ross’s memory to: Lions Gate Hospital Foundation in support of Community Care (provided outstanding at home care to Ross for the past 7 months)