James "Ross" Smith of Brandon, MB passed away with his family by his side on Friday, September 15, 2017 at the Brandon Regional Health Centre. Ross was born in Brandon, MB on January 11, 1960 to Jessie Poole and Barry Smith. Ross was predeceased by his mother, Jessie Poole and his step-father Arnold Poole. Left to cherish his memory are his wife and soul-mate, Shawna Traill; daughter Sarah (Tyler) Norosky; grandsons Chael and Colton; son Trevor Traill; father Barry Smith and his in-laws Gene and Diane Traill. Also mourning his loss are his brother Don (Jackie) Smith, his sisters Karen (Jim) Klywak and Daphne (Ken) Scott and nieces and nephews Brittany, Brandon, Vanessa, Mathew, Treina, Sharilyn, Kristen and Tyler. Ross attended school in Brandon and after graduating spent time working in Northern Manitoba and then for CP Rail. He then trained as a barber and plied his trade in Winnipeg and then at Smith’s Hairstyling in Brandon. He eventually went on to work for many years for Murray Chev Olds and for the past several years has been manager of East 40 Packers in Brandon where he carried on the tradition for Gene and Diane Traill. Ross loved hockey and the Wheat Kings and was involved in his children’s sports, coaching Sarah’s soccer team and Trevor’s minor hockey team as well as helping with his high school football team. He also loved to golf but his greatest passion was the cottage that he built with pride at Wellman Lake in the Duck Mountains and the fishing that went along with it. Ross and Shawna loved their holidays in Jamaica where they relaxed in the sun at Treasure Beach and other locations with friends and family. Family was so important to Ross. He burst with pride when he spoke of his children, Sarah and Trevor, and, of course, his wonderful grandsons, Chael and Colton. The Smith Family get-togethers were favourite occasions for him especially when his brother Don came for his Manitoba visits. In both his personal and business life Ross was well-respected and loved by his many friends in Brandon and elsewhere. He had a kind heart and was a friend to everyone. He was our family’s “go-to” person when things needed to be looked after in the Brandon area. He was a well-loved stand-up guy! We miss him. A Come and Go Celebration of Life was held at the Victoria Inn, Grand Salon, on Thursday, September 21, 2017. Flowers are gratefully declined. Donations in memory of Ross may be made to the Alzheimer's Society, Unit 4B - 457 - 9th Street, Brandon, Manitoba, R7A 1K2 or to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Manitoba, #3 - 2430 Victoria Avenue, Brandon, Manitoba, R7B 0M5 or to a charity of one's choice.