Sydney
The family of Ross Aitkens regret to announce his passing on Tuesday, April 5, 2022, at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital, Sydney.
Born on May 7, 1963, in Sydney, Ross was the son of the late Norris and Violet (Rogers) Aitkens.
Ross was a private, quiet, gentle person who preferred to work in the background, though his family and friends knew him for his zany sense of humour and contagious laugh. He loved his family and was a fixture at family get-togethers and holidays. He showed his affection for his loved ones through acts of service and kindness and was generous to a fault with his time and skills. After his uncle Wally died, for example, he would often show up at his aunt Cathy’s, and set quietly to work, cleaning the yard, putting up Christmas lights, or organizing a storage room. Ross would always be there if he knew someone needed help.
As a teenager Ross’s tastes were for the icons of an earlier era, that of classic cars, jukeboxes, duck-tail haircuts, Elvis Presley, and Patsy Cline, and all his life he retained a fondness for that aesthetic. Soon after high school he began working at Crowell’s department store and was employed there until it closed. With his gift for drawing and painting, he quickly became a skilled sign-painter and became a commercial display decorator, working under the guidance of his life-long friend and mentor, Shirley Foote. Ross decorated and painted graphics in many store windows along Charlotte Street and in the local shopping malls, and his murals graced the walls of several local businesses.
Ross’s interest in earlier times gave him a deep passion for local history. He was a tireless researcher and amateur historian, and he focused on his own genealogy, the local ferry system, the history local transportation generally, and the economic development of Westmount. He dived deep into the commercial and architectural history of Old Sydney town, spent countless hours doing research at the Beaton Institute, and volunteered at Old Sydney Society cataloging photos. He was especially proud of the exhibit he put together on the local ferry system, featuring his grandfather Ashley Aitkens and the Westmount-to-Sydney ferry. Ross’s work occasionally appeared as articles in the Cape Breton Post, and he spent many hours walking through Sydney noting the changing landscape and comparing it to historic photographs. Fellow history buffs told him how much they looked forward to seeing the fruits of his labour published in a more permanent form, to which he shrugged modestly and replied quietly, “Maybe, someday, if live long enough.”
Ross is survived by his siblings, Brian (Carolyn), Glenn (Helen) and Wanda (Tony) McElhatton; nieces, Allica and Bridget; nephews, Scott, Geoffrey, and Mark; as well as his extended family: particularly close to aunt, Kathy; cousins, Blaine and Kim; aunt, Vera and cousins, Paula and Carol.
Visitation and memorial service to celebrate the life of Ross Aitkens will be held at Pier Community Funeral Home, 1092 Victoria Rd. (entrance on Church St.), Whitney Pier on Monday, April 11, 2022. A gathering of family and friends will take place from 12 noon to 1:30 p.m. with the memorial service to follow at 2 p.m. in the All Faith Chapel. Interment will take place in Hardwood Hill Cemetery, Sydney.
The family encourage the wearing of masks at the service.
Donations in memory of Ross may be made to the Old Sydney Society or the Beaton Institute.
Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the care and direction of Pier Community Funeral Home.
Online Condolences
Hello, my name is Donna Wilkie. I am so very broken hearted to hear of Ross’s passing!! My husband, Ken, and I have been friends of Ross for many years. Over 20. We haven’t had a connection in a few years but were glad to see each other for a wave or hello from afar during these times we live in!! He was such a special person and friend to us and when he spoke of his family, it was with pride and love!!! His talents and sweet and charished gifts still grace our home and have so much more meaning to us now, more than ever!! His thoughtfulness will never be forgotten by us. I will play the Patsy Cline cassette tape you made for us, with sadness and joy!! I love you like a brother Ross and I will never forget you! My Christmas will be a little sadder this year, and my Halloween will be a little less festive when I decorate with the things you touched and created for me!! You have wings my friend!! Soar high my brother in thought!! I love you!!
From: Donna Wilkie
We are so sorry to hear of the loss of Ross. We thought the world of Ross. When our home burned he was there for us to help us design our new home 21 years ago. He wil be missed sincerely Wayne O’Handley and John Bennett.
From: Wayne and John
So saddened to hear about Ross. My condolences to Ross’s family on his passing. I worked with Ross at Crowell’s. He was an awesome worker. Very dedicated and helpful to our staff at Crowell’s. RIP Ross
From: Georgina Ott
Wanda and family,
So sorry to hear about Ross’s unexpected passing. Condolences to you and your family. Our thoughts are with you.
From: Lynda and Brian Pottie
Dear Aikens Family and Friends,
We want to offer you our sincerest condolences and sympathy on the passing of Ross. He was truly a saint among us and will be missed. “Friends are the pillars on your porch. Sometimes they hold you up, sometimes they lean on you, and sometimes it’s just enough to know that they are standing by.” Rest In Peace friend, you will be remembered. Take good care of each other during the difficult days ahead! God Bless You!
Sincerely,
Shaun and Bill
So sad to hear of this sweet man’s’ passing. I remember him well from my days at the Old Sydney Society . Ross was a most thoughtful man , always seeing things in a positive light. Unassuming and so very much more intelligent than he ever gave himself credit for.
Sincerest Sympathy to all of you. I remember Ross as Wanda’s little brother, in the background sweet and kind. Great laugh, great smile. May you rest in peace Ross and to the family sending prayers and hugs!
Brian, Glenn, Wanda and family, So very sorry to hear of Ross’s passing. I remember him growing up on Martell Street, and later seeing him around town. He was always such a quiet person. His artistic talent will be missed. Thinking of you with deepest sympathy. Donna (Reid) & Nick Rutherford
My sincere condolences going out to all of you I had the pleasure of working with Ross at Crowells. We enjoyed a good many laughs. He was a fantastic designer for anything the store needed, always helpful and shared many history stories. Thinking of you with heart felt sympathy.
Sorry for your loss. I worked with Ross at Crowell’s. He was a gentle giant, and will be missed!
So sorry to hear of Ross’s passing. I worked at Global News Shop on Charlotte Street. He was at Crowells. He would come in and grab a bite. Nice man. Condolences to Aitkens Families.
Condolences to the Aitkens family on Ross’s passing! He was a great help to our mother (Murdena MacLeod on Wendy Street) whenever she needed anything done around the house. She enjoyed his company and thought very highly of his handyman skills.
My condolences to Ross’s family. I worked with Ross at Crowell’s. I loved his many window displays each season. Loved his decorating at Christmas time. He was a good worker. Very talented and dedicated. RIP Ross.
Our sincere condolences to Ross and family. I always thought of Ross as a good friend. I know how much he was relied on by family and was always there when needed. He will be greatly missed. Our hearts goes out to the family.
Sincere condolences to the Aitkins Family and friends. I had the pleasure of working with Ross at Crowell’s. A very talented and artistic person. He truly surprised me one day when he handed me a sketched charcoal drawing of my mother, it was the first portrait drawing he did and it is incredible to say the least, it’s beautifully framed and hanging in my home. A few times over the years he made myself and other staff handmade gifts. We always stopped and chatted when we met on the street. He may be gone but won’t be forgotten. RIP Ross.
To the Aitkens Family: Several years ago, Ross did some work around our home. He also built a custom made Scratching Post for our 2 cats. It was a very large and very sturdy Scratching Post and we have it to this day. He was a meticulous worker and a very nice person. So sorry to hear of his passing.
To the Aitkens family. I am sorry to hear of Ross’ passing. I got to know Ross through his interest in history and in particular the Sydney Waterfront. Ross was very knowledgeable and would drop by the port office to provide us with information pertaining to the harbour.
All of what he provided was hand written. Rest in Peace Ross.
My sincere condolences to all the Aitkens family. Ross was a special person. Although I didn’t know him growing up ( he was much younger than me) , I met him later on through his Aunt Sadie. I remember how kind and helpful he was to Sadie. Ross was good at reaching out to people. He dropped into to the house on a few occassions and we would have a cup of tea and discuss ” the history of Westmount”. He had a quiet , gentle way and the conversation was always interesting. He will be missed by many .
To the Aitkens Family: I was sorry to learn of Ross’s passing. He was a nice guy with great knowledge of my family’s history and I thank him for that.