A Tribute to Donald Ross ’48
A Tribute to Donald Ross ’48
It is with deep sadness that we share the news of the passing of Donald Ross ’48, P ’79 ’80, GP ’17 ’27, a cherished and influential member of the Lakefield College School community for more than seven decades.
Donald’s legacy at Lakefield is extraordinary. A proud alumnus of the Class of 1948, Donald’s connection to the school spanned generations. His brothers Andrew Ross ’53 and David Ross ’57, his son David Ross ’80, his daughter Felicia Ross P ’17 ’27 (LCS Foundation Trustee), his stepson Jamie White ’79, his nephew Andrew Ross '87, his grandson Ross Hutchinson ’17 and granddaughter Kate McKean '27, all followed in his footsteps. Donald was also the stepson of former Head of School G. Winder Smith, whose leadership and values helped shape Donald’s lifelong belief in supporting students in times of need.
Together with his wife, Gretchen Ross (Honorary Alumna ’20), a former trustee and devoted partner in philanthropy, Donald quietly transformed the lives of many LCS students. For decades, he championed accessibility at the school, providing financial assistance to students facing hardship—often staying personally connected to their stories, reading their report cards, and cheering them on with quiet pride.
Donald served the school in many ways: as a Foundation Trustee, a School Trustee, and as a longtime member of the Foundation Fundraising, Finance, and Investment Committees. In 2025, he was named an Honorary Trustee, a fitting acknowledgement of his leadership and enduring support.
Among Donald and Gretchen’s most impactful gifts was the donation of Northcote Campus in 2007, now a beloved space for immersive outdoor learning and reflection. Their generosity also made possible the reconstruction of the A.W. Mackenzie Chapel, as well as the construction of Ross House, which was named in Donald’s honour in 2018 by a group of family members and friends in recognition of his extraordinary impact—both of which continue to enrich student life today.
Over the years, Donald received several of the school’s most meaningful recognitions, including the Jeffery Page Rein Wadsworth Award for Volunteerism in 2007, and most recently, the Angus MacNaughton ’48 Award for Philanthropy, presented in May 2025 in celebration of his visionary and heartfelt support of Lakefield’s mission. He was also appointed a Member of the Order of Canada in 2012, and received the Award of Merit from the St. George’s Society of Toronto, honouring his broader contributions to Canadian society through education, culture, and community service.
Donald had a sharp and discerning mind, a deep love for Lakefield’s special places, and a big heart that quietly shaped the lives of students he often never met—but always believed in.
He will be remembered not only for his remarkable generosity, but for the affection he held for Lakefield—for its land, its chapel, and its people. His legacy lives on in every student whose path he helped clear, and in every corner of our campus that bears the mark of his quiet, unwavering belief in the power of this place.
On behalf of the entire Lakefield College School community, we extend our heartfelt condolences to Gretchen and the extended Ross and White families. Many of us will think of Donald when we walk through Northcote, sit in the Chapel, or see the lights on in Ross House—his presence, and his love for this place, will not be forgotten.
Service Details
Visitations will be on Wednesday, January 14, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Humphrey’s Funeral Home at 1403 Bayview Avenue, Toronto.
It is with deep sadness that we share the news of the passing of Donald Ross ’48, P ’79 ’80, GP ’17 ’27, a cherished and influential member of the Lakefield College School community for more than seven decades.
Donald’s legacy at Lakefield is extraordinary. A proud alumnus of the Class of 1948, Donald’s connection to the school spanned generations. His brothers Andrew Ross ’53 and David Ross ’57, his son David Ross ’80, his daughter Felicia Ross P ’17 ’27 (LCS Foundation Trustee), his stepson Jamie White ’79, his nephew Andrew Ross '87, his grandson Ross Hutchinson ’17 and granddaughter Kate McKean '27, all followed in his footsteps. Donald was also the stepson of former Head of School G. Winder Smith, whose leadership and values helped shape Donald’s lifelong belief in supporting students in times of need.
Together with his wife, Gretchen Ross (Honorary Alumna ’20), a former trustee and devoted partner in philanthropy, Donald quietly transformed the lives of many LCS students. For decades, he championed accessibility at the school, providing financial assistance to students facing hardship—often staying personally connected to their stories, reading their report cards, and cheering them on with quiet pride.
Donald served the school in many ways: as a Foundation Trustee, a School Trustee, and as a longtime member of the Foundation Fundraising, Finance, and Investment Committees. In 2025, he was named an Honorary Trustee, a fitting acknowledgement of his leadership and enduring support.
Among Donald and Gretchen’s most impactful gifts was the donation of Northcote Campus in 2007, now a beloved space for immersive outdoor learning and reflection. Their generosity also made possible the reconstruction of the A.W. Mackenzie Chapel, as well as the construction of Ross House, which was named in Donald’s honour in 2018 by a group of family members and friends in recognition of his extraordinary impact—both of which continue to enrich student life today.
Over the years, Donald received several of the school’s most meaningful recognitions, including the Jeffery Page Rein Wadsworth Award for Volunteerism in 2007, and most recently, the Angus MacNaughton ’48 Award for Philanthropy, presented in May 2025 in celebration of his visionary and heartfelt support of Lakefield’s mission. He was also appointed a Member of the Order of Canada in 2012, and received the Award of Merit from the St. George’s Society of Toronto, honouring his broader contributions to Canadian society through education, culture, and community service.
Donald had a sharp and discerning mind, a deep love for Lakefield’s special places, and a big heart that quietly shaped the lives of students he often never met—but always believed in.
He will be remembered not only for his remarkable generosity, but for the affection he held for Lakefield—for its land, its chapel, and its people. His legacy lives on in every student whose path he helped clear, and in every corner of our campus that bears the mark of his quiet, unwavering belief in the power of this place.
On behalf of the entire Lakefield College School community, we extend our heartfelt condolences to Gretchen and the extended Ross and White families. Many of us will think of Donald when we walk through Northcote, sit in the Chapel, or see the lights on in Ross House—his presence, and his love for this place, will not be forgotten.
Service Details
Visitations will be on Wednesday, January 14, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Humphrey’s Funeral Home at 1403 Bayview Avenue, Toronto.
Funeral service will be on Thursday, January 15, at 11 a.m. at Grace Church on-the-Hill at 300 Lonsdale Road, Toronto. The service will be live-streamed and will be accessed through https://www.gracechurchonthehill.ca/donaldross. A direct link will be available on the funeral home web site at the time of the service.
School Information
4391 County Road 29, Lakefield Ontario K0L 2H0 705.652.3324 admissions@lcs.on.ca
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Lakefield College School is a private, coeducational boarding and day school for students in grades 9 through 12, located in Lakefield, Ontario, Canada.
We respectfully acknowledge that Lakefield College School is located on the Treaty 20 Michi Saagiig territory and in the traditional territory of the Michi Saagiig and Chippewa Nations, collectively known as the Williams Treaties First Nations, which include: Curve Lake, Hiawatha, Alderville, Scugog Island, Rama, Beausoleil, and Georgina Island First Nations. Lakefield College School respectfully acknowledges that the Williams Treaties First Nations are the stewards and caretakers of these lands and waters in perpetuity and that they continue to maintain this responsibility to ensure their health and integrity for generations to come.
We respectfully acknowledge that Lakefield College School is located on the Treaty 20 Michi Saagiig territory and in the traditional territory of the Michi Saagiig and Chippewa Nations, collectively known as the Williams Treaties First Nations, which include: Curve Lake, Hiawatha, Alderville, Scugog Island, Rama, Beausoleil, and Georgina Island First Nations. Lakefield College School respectfully acknowledges that the Williams Treaties First Nations are the stewards and caretakers of these lands and waters in perpetuity and that they continue to maintain this responsibility to ensure their health and integrity for generations to come.
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