In Memory of Donald Ross

Donald MacBean Ross, OC, died peacefully at home in Toronto on January 5, 2026, surrounded by family and friends. He was 93. Born February 29, 1932, a leap year baby, he claimed to have had only 23 birthdays, so no one—including him—expected him to die this young.

A brilliant investor, quiet philanthropist, and Officer of the Order of Canada, Donald leaves behind his beloved wife of 55 years, Gretchen Ross, and their deeply loved combined children, Tory Ross (Keith Gordey), David Ross (Line Forestier), Felicia Ross, Jamie White (Christine Awrey), and Lucy White (Lee Lamothe), predeceased by Frances White. Donald also leaves behind his delightful grandchildren who brought him so much joy: Ross, Lucy, Kate, Stephanie, Katherine, James, Hailey, and Aly.

Donald was predeceased by his father, David MacBean Ross; his mother, Jean Winder Smith (née Anderson); brothers Andrew and David; and his stepfather, G. Winder Smith, former headmaster of Lakefield College School.

Donald was educated at Lakefield College School and at Upper Canada College and completed a BA at Trinity College at the University of Toronto.

Donald's financial career began at HSBC in London, UK. In Toronto, he joined A.E. Ames & Co. and R.A. Daly & Co., later St. Lawrence Securities, and, eventually, Jones, Gable and Company, where he rose to President and then Chairman and CEO. He retired from the successor company, Leede Financial Inc., in 2025.D

Donald was a valued member of many not-for-profit and corporate boards, including at Lakefield College School Foundation, Soulpepper Theatre Company, Canadian Canoe Museum, Ontario College of Art and Design Foundation, Ontario Arts Council Foundation, Fort Knox Gold Resources, Macdonald Oil Exploration Limited, and FNX Mining Company Inc. He was appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada in 2012.

Donald and Gretchen received numerous awards for their philanthropy and volunteerism, as supporters of the National Ballet of Canada, Soulpepper Theatre Company, the Nature Conservancy of Canada, Smile Theatre, the Art Gallery of Ontario, Luminato Festival, the Royal Ontario Museum, Crow's Theatre, The Walrus Foundation, and many other lucky organizations.

Thanks to all of the care workers and support staff who helped Donald and the family these past weeks. Greatest thanks to Donald's career-long assistant and family friend Isabel Beer and to Grady Savage for all their help.

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.

Funeral service will be on Thursday, January 15, at 11 a.m. at Grace Church on-the-Hill at 300 Lonsdale Road. The service will be live-streamed.

To leave condolences, visit humphreymiles.com/obituaries.

A private reception will be held after the service.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Canadian Canoe Museum, the National Ballet of Canada, the LongRun Thoroughbred Retirement Society, or to a charity of your choice.