Obituary of Ross Maxwell Knechtel
Ross Maxwell Knechtel
March 11, 1940 – October 19, 2022
Ross Knechtel beloved husband of Ruthe (nee Honsberger) passed away peacefully at Sunnybrook Hospital surrounded by family. Loving father to Janet (Gord), Peter (Irene) and John (Leasa). Proud and devoted Grandfather to Mark, Emily (Bryan), Emma, Claire, Natalie, Cohen and Great Grandfather of Hudson. Dear brother to Stephen.
Ross grew up in Leaside and met Ruthe, the love of his life, at Leaside High School. Ross asked her to the Sadie Hawkins dance, the rule breaker that he was, and the rest is history. Ross and Ruthe were married at Northlea United Church on April 1,1961 (always the fool). Ross and Ruthe enjoyed travelling the world throughout their lives and visited many ports of call over their long history. Ross is known by all for his quirky sense of humour and outgoing social nature.
Ross was an exceptional educator, with the Toronto District School Board for 36 years, where his passion and dedication to teaching made a positive impact on the students and staff he worked with. Ross was an art teacher early in his career and taught many primary and junior grades before finding his real gift in Kindergarten. His classroom was always full of fun, music, art and play. Many may not know that during his final year of teaching Ross wrote and directed a full school musical called Under the Tree. His creativity and talent went beyond the norm! Ross was a talented and creative artist who enjoyed painting, sketching, and song writing. He was a musician playing many instruments including clarinet, piano, guitar, saxophone, trombone and even played the church bells at St. James Cathedral for weddings and Sunday services in Toronto. He was a long time member of the North York Concert Band where he enjoyed socializing amongst his friends and entertaining others. Ross was a dedicated grandfather who was very involved in the lives of all his grandkids. He shared a special relationship with each of them. He was always there for his family, Ross’ family motto was “Be There” and he was. Papa will be missed dearly by all.
A memorial service for Ross will take place at the Humphrey Funeral Home A.W. Miles – Newbigging Chapel, 1403 Bayview Avenue on Sunday, October 23rd from 2:00 – 5:00 p.m. Condolences may be forwarded through www.humphreymiles.com. Donations to The Hospital for Sick Children would be appreciated.
© 2022 Humphrey Funeral Home A.W. Miles – Newbigging Chapel Limited. All Rights Reserved.
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