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A PACKED Grimsby Minster heard an emotional tribute to the former Grimsby fishing leader John Ross from his son David.
The co-founder of the Carphone Warehouse Company spoke movingly of the father he both loved and admired.
John Ross, who as managing director of Ross Trawlers and a key part of the Ross food and fishing empire, once ran the largest distant water fishing fleet in the world. He had more than 100 ships under his command when the British fishing fleet was at its peak in the 1960s.
He was made High Steward of Grimsby in 2008, a position held earlier by his father J Carl Ross, in recognition of his huge contribution to the fishing industry.
He died on May 12th aged 75. More than 300 mourners attended the special thanksgiving service, including many former fishing leaders, the two local MPs, Austin Mitchell (Grimsby) and Martin Vickers (Cleethorpes) plus Alan Duncan, the Conservative Minister of State for International Development in the coalition government.
David Ross, one of his five children and who led the family tribute, said many people would remember his father in a wide variety of different ways – as a stalwart of the community, a staunch Conservative supporter, and a committed employer.
But most of all he would be greatly missed as a devoted husband and father. Although he had studied law at Cambridge University and chartered accountancy in London, he always missed his home town and eventually returned to run the fishing fleet. He added: “He had a great love for Grimsby, and both the fishing industry and his other company Cosalt were very special to him.”
David said they also remembered his father exploits as a private pilot with some trepidation and how he used the local railway line and Lincoln Cathedral as his main navigation aids. He even flew under the Humber Bridge as it was being constructed and it was with some relief in the family when he eventually stopped flying.
He concluded: “I will never forget the day he was made High Steward. He showed such dignity and pride despite his Parkinson's. He also never passed judgement on anyone and in that sense he was a true Christian.” John Ross suffered from Parkinson's Disease in later years and David paid tribute to Jill, his fourth wife, who devotedly looked after him.
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