Gavin Ross, a longtime Executive Director of the McGill Alumni Association — a position he called “the best job at McGill” — has passed away. Ross also served for many years as McGill’s Director of Annual Giving.
In addition to his formal responsibilities, he was active as a tireless supporter of both athletics and jazz at McGill. He traveled the world over in the course of trips organized to raise funds for McGill’s hockey, football and rugby teams, and its jazz band.
Ross was responsible for implementing the Town and Gown reception on campus for the graduating class, and revived the old tradition of an alumni reception before home football games. He befriended many McGill students and made a point of supporting student leaders in their endeavours.
His efforts in the service of McGill and of higher education were recognized on many occasions.
In 1987, for example, he was awarded an Honorary Life Membership in the Graduates’ Society of McGill University (later the McGill Alumni Association). In 1995, Ross was the recipient of a Carol and Stephen Herbert distinguished service award from the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education.
To read more, please see the McGill Athletics website.
April 22nd, 2010 at 5:13 am
Hello,
The O’Brien family in Limerick, Ireland wish to sympathize with the family and friends of Gavin Ross.
My Dad Brian O’Brien met Gavin in 1996 when his rugby club toured Canada. They became friends bonding through a mutual love of music especially Jazz.
When my Dad told Gavin that his daughter was a singer songwriter in Ireland and sang a lot of Canadian songwriters’ songs, he told him he went to college with Leonard Cohen and had Leonard sent me an autographed book (Dance Me To The End Of Love).
We met him every time he came to Ireland on holidays and has always kept in touch through e-mail, sending various Irish related “funnies.”
We found him to be a sincere and gentle man always ready for a laugh.
He will be missed by all his many Irish friends.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis. (May his faithful soul be at God’s side.)
Sincerely,
Siobhán O’Brien and family
September 1st, 2010 at 11:42 pm
After I left McGill in 1994, I wanted to have some connection with the institution, and Gavin was the link. He allowed me to promote the wonders of McGill at Alumni and Rotary events around the world. We met and hung out in Montreal, London, Toronto, all over, after I graduated. I noticed that his group emails were not coming in lately, and checked the net, and my greatest fear came true, that he has passed away.
Gavin was a unique, social, and wonderfully supportive peer. I will miss him. But, I will always try to carry with me his way of making the people he came in contact with, feel special.
Scott Kapoor McGill B.Sc. 1994