Ross Edward Cecil Dunn

With complete broken hearts and sadness, the family of Ross Edward Cecil Dunn is announcing his death. Ross was born 21 Jan 1963, in Alliston, Ontario and passed away 11 Jan 2022, just shy of his 59th birthday. He passed at home in Courtenay, BC , due to Cancer, diagnosed a few short months ago.

He shall be lovingly remembered by his wife of 30 years, Shari and beautiful daughters Sara and Rachel. His mother Elda Margaret Meagher (Ross), his Stepfather Patrick Meagher, siblings Valerie Sampson (Doug) and Lorraine Dunn, sisters in laws Debbie Chenell, Dawn MacKay (Glen) and brother in law Lloyd Chenell (Nicole) with his many nephews and nieces . He was predeceased by his sister Paula Decoste.

Ross joined the Canadian Forces on 3 Feb 1987, as a radio technician and spent the next 34 years serving our country. From radio tech, he transitioned thru to an Aerospace Telecommunication and Information Systems (ATIS) Technician. . He was stationed in locations such as Valcartier QC, Kingston ON, Ottawa ON, Cold Lake AB and Comox BC. As a United Nations peacekeeper, he had overseas tours in Mogadishu Somalia in 1993 (as famously recorded in “Black Hawk Down”), Qunaytirah Syria in 2005 and El Gorah Egypt in 2010.

In 2007, upon completion of his 20 years in the Regular Force, he continued to support the CF in Comox with a position at WTIS as a member of the Royal Canadian Air Force Reserves until 2019. Ross then transitioned from the CAF to a civilian position within Shared Services Canada, still directly contributing to the Department of National Defence and CAF as an IT Analyst. He had a remarkable positive attitude with his focus to the 19 Wing community (particularly in collaboration with CIS Flight). He enjoyed and took pride in the support he could offer to allow for Air Force operations to take place.

Over the years, he’s had a lot of good fun with his colleagues and he loved to share the occasional stories, memories and laughs from his numerous postings and deployments. One of the most dreadful moments was when a farmer who was ploughing his field, a little too diligently, managed to cut off all communication lines into and out of the base. Between this and other anecdotal stories, he always concluded government plans usually end with “Truth being stranger than fiction.”

Warm hearted with an enjoyable personality, Ross always enjoyed good conversation especially over a cold pint. He was full of quick wit and humor, and never shy to speak his mind. He was an avid reader and dreamed of going into space one day. He had many interests and concerns regarding the state of our world. He enjoyed satirical comedy personalities, real or fictional, Homer being a personal favorite. He enjoyed hockey team rivalries, Grey Cup and fishing adventures with buddies and entertained with many amusing stories.

Ross enjoyed the ride, tubing down the Puntledge river with friends, bike cruises on those sunny days, especially through our countryside roads. He loved his travels over the years, toured many countries with co-workers and many vacations with family and great friends.

A loving son, brother, husband, and father. Absolutely, the most “Rossome” dad to his girls, their rock “always” with his continued stability and unconditional support. He was enough of a father for a hundred lifetimes and we are so lucky to have had him in our lives.

Special thanks to VIHA, and to Arrow (she’s in pic) a recent addition to our family, an absolute comfort and “snuggle buddy” to us all!

By Request and due to Covid protocols, there will not be a public service. With that said, please raise a toast, share a story in his memory. If you wish to make a donation, please do so to your favorite local charity or Cancer Research.

A great friend to all and gone from us far too soon, Ross you are forever in our hearts. Rest in Peace.