Eight bells for a gentleman sailor of the highest order, whose watch has ended.

Peter Douglas Ross passed away on Thursday, December 18, 2025, leaving behind a legacy of integrity, adventure, and a deep love for his family. Born in Halifax on December 10, 1942, he was the son of Thomas Clark Ross and Ellen Joan Murphy. His early years were spent in Nova Scotia, and although his journey eventually took him to Ontario, he always carried the spirit of the Maritimes with him.

Peter and his loving wife Carolyn were married on August 26, 1967, and shared a devoted 57-year marriage until Carolyn's passing in September 2024. They met while working at Johnson and Johnson in the early 1960s in Montreal; Carolyn insisted she wouldn't marry him until he had a degree, so Peter worked by day and studied by night. He earned his B.Sc. in Mathematics in 1967 from Sir George Williams University, an early student in the then-emerging field of computers. He then earned his MBA from McGill in 1970.

With a sharp analytical mind, Peter grew his career from computer systems into management consulting and leadership. After starting his career as Director of Systems and Computer Services at Consolidated Bathurst, he transitioned to management consultant at Price Waterhouse, and then moved into executive leadership positions in insurance, communications, and private equity.

Outside of the office, Peter was a man of many passions. In his younger years, he was an expert skier and a highly-ranked car rally driver in Quebec. His love for cars continued through his life, including Formula 1 racing and his Austin Healey, which he and Carolyn proudly took to car shows all over southern Ontario.

His heart truly belonged on the water. An experience in a borrowed boat launched off the beach in Greece grew into a lifelong family passion with multiple boats, trips, and an extensive collection of sailing literature. He captained several vessels over the years, but he poured the most hours into the family's C&C 35 Mark II, Fritha, and later their Monk 36 trawler, Summer Tilt. Peter was a closely connected member of the local sailing community, having served as Commodore of Oakville Yacht Squadron in 1984 and the first Commodore of the Oakville Club in 1992. He and Carolyn also took their love of sailing to international waters, chartering sailboats for vacations with family and friends in the Caribbean and the Mediterranean.

In retirement, Carolyn and Peter embarked on a major adventure by taking their trawler through the Inland Waterways of the U.S., to Florida, and then the Bahamas.  For more than 15 years they would spend their winters travelling around the Bahamas, fostering great friendships and a love for the Abacos. Peter could frequently be found sanding and varnishing the teak or working on the engine.  A long day of maintenance was usually celebrated with a boisterous happy hour with local friends.

A natural connector, Peter's open heart, big smile, and energetic outlook defined his charismatic personality. While he never sought the centre of attention, he brought warmth, comfort, and joy to every gathering. He was skilled at building and maintaining friendships through thoughtful correspondence and frequent visits. Regardless of life's challenges, he remained positive and focused on what mattered most to him, his friends and family.

A "hopeless romantic" who loved dancing with Carolyn and attending classical concerts, Peter was also a steady, supportive father to Tracy and Lindsey.  He embraced his role as the only man in a house full of women, including the pets, with characteristic patience and wit. In later years, he found great joy in spending time with his grandsons and in new hobbies like golf, gardening, and cooking.

Peter is survived by his daughters, Tracy (Bryan) of Toronto and Lindsey (Nelson) of Calgary, and his three grandsons, Andrew (13), Ashton (8), and Everett (5). He is also survived by his brother Michael (Lee), his brother-in-law Charles Jones, and his sister-in-law Patricia Nardocchio. He will be fondly remembered by his nieces and nephews, Shann, Gavin, Nadine, Tamara, and Blair. Peter was predeceased by his sister-in-law Elaine Nardocchio, his nephew Tim Ross, and his wife Carolyn.

A celebration of life will take place at the Oakville Club, 56 Water Street, on Thursday January 8th, from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to Acclaim Health, which provided respite for Peter during Carolyn's long battle with Alzheimer's, or to your local food bank.