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In memory of those who have Crossed the Bar
TOWLER, Ross L. - beloved husband, father and grandfather, accomplished professional, true gentleman, and gentle man - passed away on Wednesday, July 9, 2025, with his children by his side at his home in Halifax, just as he wished.
The eldest of three children of Edith (Wray) and Arthur Towler, Ross was born in Toronto in 1931. He was a keen student, skipping two grades before age 12. He was the first in his family to attend University, excelling as a student at University of Toronto while running for the varsity Track and Field team. To finance his education, Ross joined the University Naval Training Division, and was posted to Halifax in the summer of 1951. It was at a dance at the Jubilee Boat Club that he talked a lovely young Dalhousie student into letting him walk her home. Betty MacKinnon, a Science student from Sydney, found this man in uniform irresistible and thus began a love that would last over seven decades.
They married as soon as Ross finished his Commerce degree in 1953, and settled in Toronto, where he articled with Clarkson Gordon, receiving his Chartered Accountant designation in 1954. After a stint in Montreal, they moved to Nova Scotia to raise their children, settling permanently in Halifax in 1968.
In 1969, Ross found his true calling when he became Executive Director of the Institute of CAs of Nova Scotia. Under his leadership, the percentage of NS CA students passing the national final exams went from last in the country to first, an achievement that gave him great pride.
When he retired in 1998 he had overseen the education and professional development of thousands of CAs, many of whom have shared stories of quiet kindnesses he did for them. He was truly proud of the CPA profession, and was a living embodiment of its high professional standards and ethical foundations. The Institute of Chartered Accountants later named its top annual honor the "Ross L. Towler CA of the Year Award".
Ross was involved in community endeavors, serving on the boards of the Maritime Provinces Higher Education Commission and the NS Hearing and Speech Clinic and as an Elder at St. Andrew's United Church. He also taught as an adjunct professor of Accounting at Dalhousie for many years, and was a natural teacher and mentor.
Ross was a caring and involved father, up early to make breakfast and quiz everyone on that day's class test material before catching the 9A bus on Inglis St. at 8:15. He loved hearing about everyone's activities over the dinner table at day's end.
In retirement, he and Betty enjoyed many summers at the family cottage in Hubbards and later, Marriott's Cove. When Betty's lifelong love of antiques led to participating in an antiques co-operative, Ross took over the bookkeeping and happily rang in sales and chatted with customers. He was genuinely interested in everyone, and was known universally as kind, patient and generous with his praise.
In 2006, Ross became a proud grandfather to Katie, and they enjoyed a special bond for the rest of his days. By far his favourite title was "Papa", and whatever the activity - baking cookies, collaborating on a tricky Sudoku puzzle, or skunking each other at cribbage - Katie and her Papa were devoted companions.
Following Betty's death in 2023 after 70 years of marriage, Ross forged on with the support of his friends at The Parkland at the Gardens, in particular his fellow retired CPAs: Blois, Alastair and Eric, his wonderful caregiving companions, Judy and Starla, and the caring staff - including Jody Fraser, Tenisha Lenihan and many others - with whom he and Betty enjoyed great friendship over six years.
Ross was very much a family man, and is survived by his children: David, Bruce (Judy Steele) and Patti, as well as his granddaughter Katie, all of Halifax; and brother Douglas (Ursula), London Ontario. He was predeceased by his sister Barb in 2024.
A Celebration of Ross's life will be held on Wednesday September 10th at 3pm at St. Andrew's United Church at the corner of Robie St. and Spring Garden Rd with a reception to follow in the church hall. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Ronald McDonald House Atlantic, Brigadoon Children's Camp or the QEII Foundation.
With gratitude for a life well lived. (The Halifax Chronicle-Herald 23 Jul 2025)
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