Ross passed away peacefully on Saturday, November 9, 2024, at Hospice Waterloo Region. He was born in Kitchener Hospital, 81 years ago on June 22, 1943. Beloved husband of nearly 60 years to Sandra Elaine Shantz (nee Burkhardt). Loving Dad of Pamela (Dennis) Joosse and Michael Ross Shantz (Jack Lee). Proud Grandpa of Hana Joosse and Eric Joosse. Dear brother of Sandra Elizabeth (John) Schiedel and Margaret Shantz. Brother-in-law to Dennis Burkhardt (Carolyn). Fondly remembered by many nieces and nephews, great-nieces and nephews, cousins and friends.
Predeceased by his parents Ward and Erma (nee Martin) Shantz, parents-in-law Gordon and Ilene (nee Shantz) Burkhardt, his sister Marilyn (Donald) Snyder, and his nephew Scott Snyder.
Serving his church and community were important to Ross and he took on many roles to support organizations. He was a member of the K-W Optimist Club, serving as President 1972-73. He sat on the finance committee at the House of Friendship as a representative for First Mennonite church. As a pork producer he worked on the Waterloo County Pork Producers Board. He was President of the Ontario Pork Congress 1987-88. He spent many decades serving with the New Hamburg Mennonite Relief Sale and enjoyed working with the many volunteers and projects to raise money for Mennonite Central Committee.
Ross attended Martin’s schoolhouse, Rockway Mennonite School and the Ontario Agricultural College, but he was primarily a self-educated man. He was a voracious reader, and he taught himself how to make or fix just about anything he needed or find someone who could.
He had an entrepreneurial spirit and started many endeavours under Shan-Elle Ltd. He would observe businesses, identify weaknesses and set about creating radical alternatives. Rather than complain about not enough market for his pork, in 1978 he opened Shantz Country Pork Family Restaurant in Waterloo. Rather than watch high value, unwanted milk go sour, he developed a drying process to greatly increase its usability. This manufacturing of pig feed was his last business challenge, which he grew successfully with the second generation.
He loved to talk, learn and challenge younger people to do the hard work necessary to improve their situation and that of society more generally, whether that was soil conservation, food waste or feeding the hungry. Even in his retirement, Ross would come with daily advice, whether business or life, through coffee visits on the farm. Ross would share his insights with anyone he thought would benefit from them.
Ross planted hundreds of trees in his lifetime, enjoyed rhubarb and tomatoes in the flowerbeds, and propagated unusual flowering plants. The lawn mower became his favourite tractor.
He loved the hospitality of serving food to other people, whether putting on pig roasts or flipping elk burgers. He was always ready to help set up and serve at a food trailer or booth.
When cancer first came in 2005, he needed a project, so he built an old-fashioned ice cream machine and sold ice cream (his favourite food) at the Multi-cultural Festival, Moparfest, Ribfest, Ploughing Match and other local events. He took great joy in spending time with his grandkids to teach them to make “Grandpa Shantz’s Homemade Ice Cream”.
Ross and Sandy spent many summers boating on the Great Lakes and their canal systems. The boats were eventually sold and a “land yacht” appeared. In it they traveled to all the Canadian provinces and when winters became too cold, they headed south every year, going a different way and traveling through all the States except five. During the summers, they traveled in their Winnebago with their Ontario friends. He was a curious and active traveler, meeting new people and learning how things were done elsewhere.
The family appreciates the care given by the doctors and nurses of the Grand River Regional Cancer Centre over the years. A special thank you to the nurses with CarePartners for your support at home and the staff at Hospice Waterloo Region for your care and compassion.
Family will receive relatives and friends on Friday, November 15, 2024, 2:00-4:00 pm and 6:00-8:00 pm at Futher-Franklin Funeral Home, 1172 Henry St. Wellesley, ON. A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, November 16, 2024, at 11:00 am Wellesley Mennonite Church, 157 David St. Wellesley, ON with lunch to follow. Pastor Matthew Bailey-Dick officiating. Cremation has taken place. As expressions of sympathy and in lieu of flowers, donations to MCC Ontario, House of Friendship or a charity of your choice are appreciated by the family. The funeral service will be lived streamed at: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82855546316 Meeting ID 828 5554 6316
