Obituary of Ross Climenhage
It is with great sadness that the family of Ross Climenhage announce his passing, peacefully on October 30, 2024, with his wife Jean at his side at the Niagara Falls General Hospital. Ross was born on August 7th, 1934 to Louis Daniel and Helen Marion (nee Henderson) Climenhage. Predeceased by his parents and brother Edward. Loving husband of Jean (nee Johnson), dear father of Denise (James Bluhm) and Charles, and cherished grandfather of Naomi. Also survived by his brother Trevor (Lynn) and nieces and nephews.
Ross enjoyed sports, his initial career experience was working in Property Assessment and then subsequent involvement in the real estate industry and property development. In his early years he honed his hockey skills on Black Creek, which ran alongside his childhood home in rural Stevensville. He played hockey and baseball for his high school alma mater Niagara Christian College and later played fastball on a team that advanced to the provincial championships. He played hockey on various church teams, on a line with his brothers. As well as playing hockey and baseball, Ross encouraged youth in the sport by maintaining a hockey rink on his property for over 50 years, as well as coaching his son Charles’ hockey team. He was a perennial and optimistic fan of the Toronto Maple Leafs and was always delighted to watch them play live.
Ross graduated from Niagara Christian College, where he met Jean, in 1953. They were married in the NCC chapel in 1956. After graduation he worked for the Township of Bertie in municipal tax assessment before moving to Toronto in 1955 to work on the television camera crew at the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. Two years later he and Jean returned to the area and settled in Ridgeway where he resumed working in property tax assessment for Bertie Township, the City of Niagara Falls and the provincial government. During this time Ross became an Accredited Appraiser with the Appraisal Institute of Canada.
In 1971 Ross joined the real estate division of Guarantee Trust managing their Niagara Falls and Fort Erie offices until 1978, when he opened his own real estate firm, Niagara View. In 1979 he and three partners purchased the Thunder Bay Golf Course (later Ridgeway Shores) which they operated for almost thirty years. In his retirement Ross assembled a group of interested individuals who worked on the restoration of the Black Creek Pioneer Cemetery, close to his childhood home where many of his ancestors are buried.
Ross grew up in the Bertie Brethren in Christ Church and, with Jean and their children attended the Falls View and Sherkston Brethren in Christ Churches. Over the years he served in various roles in the areas of administration and Christian Education in these congregations. He also served on the Niagara Christian College Board of Trustees.
Williams Funeral Services has been entrusted with arrangements, 722 Ridge Rd N, Ridgeway. Family and friends will visit on Tuesday, November 19 from 2:00 to 4:00pm and from 6:00 to 8:00 pm. The funeral service will take place on Wednesday November 20th at 11:00 am at Trinitylife BIC Church,5348 Sherkston Road, Sherkston. A reception will follow.
In lieu of flowers, consider a donation in memory of Ross to the Bertie Church, Niagara Christian Collegiate or another charity of your choice.
