This website is dedicated to the memory of Ross Greenwell
who passed away on 16th August 2007 at the age of 45.
Most people who visit this webpage will do so because they knew Ross personally. We hope that these pages will serve as a reminder of what a very special person he was. For those reading this who did not know him, we hope that after reading this, you too, will realise that Ross Greenwell was a person worthy of lasting remembrance.
Ross’s tragically early death was all the more poignant because if there were three words to describe him, those words would be “full of life”. Ross loved life; and he loved people. As his partner Karen reminded us at his funeral service, there were many strangers that he met who dropped into easy conversation with him without even learning his name. Very many people in his adopted home town of Ferryhill would have known him by sight, but not known him as Ross – just as “the guy with long hair and leather trousers.”
His physical appearance was never less than striking; heads turned wherever he went. As a young man, a portrait of him won first prize in a photography competition – it is a photograph taken at that same session that heads this webpage. This photograph shows the Ross that so many of us knew, with his friendly, welcoming smile that lit up his face.
Ross had a wide range of interests, matched by an equally wide range of friends. He had the looks of a rock star, but this was matched by an excellent singing voice and genuine musical talent. It is no wonder that one of his young nieces asked after his funeral: “Did he have an album out?” Sadly, the answer is “no.”
Those who knew him socially around his home town may have been amazed to learn that he held a doctorate in visual arts, and should properly have been addressed as Dr Ross Greenwell. His academic friends may not have realised that he was a bus driver and qualified mechanic. All would perhaps have been surprised to learn that he was disabled as a child and had worn callipers; but had overcome this to become a black belt in taekwando as a young man.
However, there was one feature of Ross that everyone who got to know him soon became aware of – his kindness and generosity of spirit. Ross was a deeply empathic person who truly cared about his fellow man, and who also showed great love to Karen, his family and friends. He extended this love and caring to other creatures too, and had a genuine love of animals.
Those closest to him are of course, those who feel his loss most keenly. As well as being a devoted partner of his beloved Karen, Ross was also a loved and loving son, son – in – law, brother, brother –in – law and uncle. He was especially loved by his nephews and nieces, and no wonder, for he himself never lost that enthusiasm for life and sense of fun that children have.
Much more could be written, but words are completely inadequate to truly do him justice. He was, and remains, a most special person who is dearly loved by those who knew him best. Our lasting grief at his loss is the price we all must pay for his love and friendship, mixed with thanks that, for too short a time, he was a very special part of our lives.
