Ross KENWARD Obituary

Just found out roscoe is no longer with us. He had a big impact on my life and was the best shooter I have worked with. The gap he has left is felt.

Genevieve and Jamie, I am so sorry for your loss. I hadn't seen Ross in many years, however I could never forget his big smile and wonderful laugh. Hugs to both of you,

Ross, I will always remember your warm ways…that twinkle in your eyes. It was impossible not to be drawn in by your irresistible personality – especially during debrief time over a few beers.

And what talent…..Today the video formula is to shoot and shoot and discard later. You waited for moments and captured them. It made story telling so much easier. I learned from you…I shared good times with you….and Roscoe it was a pleasure to have known you.

Genevieve and James…I am sorry for your loss.

Russ Froese – White Rock B.C.

Ross just had this way of always seeming to be embracing life and embracing everyone who was with him at that moment. Being near Ross was to be inside a nice big bear hug. He just pulled you in. There was no chance of escape.

You are a good, kind, gentle and beautiful man Roscoe and one helluva fine cameraman. It is an honor to have known you and to have worked with you.

Dear Genevieve and Jamie, I am so sorry you have lost this most precious husband, Dad and best friend.

With sadness,

Genevieve - I won't ever forget staying with you and Ross in Wellington when I was backpacking through NZ/Aus in 86/87. I think my mom and dad felt I was safe knowing you were both there! My deepest sympathies to you, your son, and family.

The memories come flooding back and fill the heart.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Ross and his extended family.
Graham and Diana McMullin

Ross was the best, as a human being and as a cameraman. He lives on in so many memories. - Scott, Vancouver

Dear Genny and Jamie

We have lost our "best man", dear and wonderful friend. The flood of memories and hilarious times are in my fond rememberances. My deepest sympathies to you and Jamie. You have lost your "soul mate"

Forever in our hearts,
Sandi

Uncle Ross! Genevieve and Jamie, I am so very sorry. My Dad has yet to hear the news--he is walking across Europe (why not?) --he will be heartbroken, he's lost a "brother". xoxo

Hi Gen,......I was greatly saddened to hear about Ross,....he was a great guy soul mate/friend to me in a way. Your brother,..Jeffrey Westcott

Thank you, Genevieve, for putting Ross's obit in the Globe. We all had some great times in Vancouver oh-so-long ago. I seem to recall Ross had the Pacific Press strike (1978-79) to thank for pushing him into TV, and what a great talent he was, as well as an all-round great guy. Years pass, contacts fade, but memories do not. My sympathies for your loss.

Hi:
Part of the challenge of being a reporter at CBC TV was getting a good assignment but even more getting a good cameraman to work with. It was a lucky day when I got an assignment I could sink my teeth into but even luckier when I got to work with Ross. The real test of a story was: could you make it better than it sounded, could you add more to it than anyone thought? Working with Ross, I almost always could. A wonderful person and one of the best camera guys ever.
Larry Rose
[email protected]
Toronto.

Hi Genevieve, hope you are well. I was saddened to read this. But after that a fond memory of a really great guy. Cheers!

Hi Genevieve. The memory that immediately popped to mind was an epic birthday party at Frank Bakers'!!!!! I think I'm still recovering. We had A LOT of fun and I'm so glad for the times spent with you and Roscoe. Big hugs from Vancouver.

Hi Genevieve. I think the first thing that popped into my mind was that birthday party at Frank Baker's!!!!! We had A LOT of great times. Thinking of you and how lucky I was to have known Roscoe. Take care - big hugs to you. Deb Sweeney

Genevieve, so sorry to hear this. For a inexperienced News Producer he was my guru. Nothing was too difficult or too much work. Nothing was done halfway.
Ross you set the bar so high. Thank you.
Derek

Dear Genevieve - so sorry to read of your husband's passing in today's Globe & Mail. He sounds like a superman super man and I'm happy to know that you shared so many wonderful years and great times together. You may not remember me, but we met when you were a Guide at the Confederation Centre in Charlottetown back in the early '70's, as I had been for the summers of 1969 and'70. Our fathers were great friends and I have followed your Dad's career and yours with interest over the years. All the best to you and your son and your Canadian family. Sincere condolences re Roscoe's early passing. Lynn (Dennett) Ellsworth

Ross.... Met you when I started working for the Province in the 70's. Always great fun and a good guy to work with, sorry that we had'ent got together for a long time but always remember to good times. Deepest sympathies to your loved ones..... Dave Clark

A great guy who was always fun to work with. He could have given lessons in how to use a camera to capture a story.

We have lost a great cameraman, but more importantly, a truly extraordinary person. Rest in peace, Rosco. You will be missed.

Gen ... he was a treasure, and a pleasure to be and work with - we were rookies together at the CBC - Ross moving over from newspapers, and myself from radio, and we made amazing discoveries together - his special talent was always knowing to "wait for the shot" from his shooting stills for the papers - and his coverage was always the best because of that. My deepest sympathies ...

Ross was one in a million. A great cameraman, a good person with a heart of gold, and a good buddy to have a drink with at the end of long day's work. Genevieve and Jamie - you were truly blessed to have Ross in your lives for so long.

As a green tv reporter, I had the amazing good fortune to be able to learn from one of the very best - anywhere. Roscoe - your youthful sense of adventure, boundless curiosity, good humor and uncanny abilities with a camera made you a great mentor and friend. I will always be grateful to have known such a brilliant talent and more than anything - a fine man.

It's been many years since I worked with Roscoe at TVNZ. He was always so much fun when we went out filming and I felt he was always in total control in any situation. I'm sorry I didn't keep in touch after he left TVNZ as he always made me feel I was a friend as well as a workmate. My condolences and love to Genevieve and Jamie.

It was indeed a privilege to attend the wonderful celebration of Ross's life. Ross was our second cousin, and although we had little contact over the years, we remember visiting Noel, Molly and Ross as young children and mushrooming in a neighbouring Pahiatua paddock.
Our father John Kenward Howie, known as Jack, and Noel remained in close contact, especially in their later years, and as a result we still cherish the fruits of Noel and Ross's labour in "The Kenward Saga" newsletters and family history research they undertook for us all.
Our sincere sympathy to Genevieve and to Jamie.
Carole Seymour and Dianne Rice

I'll always remember riding shotgun with you in the Ford Rosco. I still hold those memories of 60 minutes as some of my fondest. So great to have started out working with you.
Hope your trip goes smooth en route to the next location.
Cheers mate.

Condolences to Jamie and Genevieve, so sorry you have to endure this loss.

I hope at the end of my days I have as many cool stories and loving friends as this guy. You'll be greatly missed Roscoe !

With Love,
Madi

My sincere thoughts are with you and Jamie in this difficult time.
Karen Sadler
Peterborough, Ontario, Canada

So sad to hear Ross has passed away.. Many happy memories of our cousin Ross from our early childhood.. With Aunty Molly & Uncle Noel now.. R.I.P. Thoughts and Condolences to Genevieve and Jamie... Love from Pat (Reidy) & Len Harris & family and also Fay (Reidy) Gill & family - Southland

This is sad news. My first memory of Ross was when our neighbour (and Ross's friend) Lionel Ward (Jim's older brother) took me (on his bike) around to Ross's family house in Tararua St, Pahiatua where Ross set up a little hand-cranked movie projector and we watched a black and white Mickey Mouse cartoon. This was magic to me; I was probably about 5 years old at the time. Ross's mum gave me some cake and soft drink. Ross started his working life as projectionist at Pahiatua's Regent Theatre. His Dad Noel, had been instrumental in forming the Pahiatua Repertory Society into an incorporated society in about 1955. The society is still going strong today and has owned the Regent (where I am cinema manager) since 1977 when they purchased it from Kerridge Odeon. Ross would occasionally call in to The Regent if he passed through Pahiatua. It was only a few years ago when he last called in and it was a pleasure to meet his son Jamie at the time. Ross's signature can still be seen on the wall of the cleaner's cupboard at The Regent; back then it was the film store room. My thoughts and sympathy to Genevieve and Jamie.

If a picture3 is worth a thousand words Roscoe has written whole libraries of beautiful stories. Thanks for letting me edit some of them. you made a difference my old friend. More than can be said for a lot.
Paul

I'm sorry to hear about your loss Genevieve and Jamie. My thoughts are with you

Roscoe,
In my eyes you have always been "your own man." Someone who has his own thoughts about the world and all the wonderful things it revealed. I will always admire that you.
Your kind heart and thoughtfulness will be missed.
Jeff G

My thoughts are with both Genevieve and Jamie. Ross always had a friendly smile and our sons will have fond memories of the quality time he spent with them.
Raelene Boucher - Devonport

Remembering lovely, kind, generous Rosco. Our friend and neighbour for many years. Our love to Genevieve and Jamie. Marvin,Rose and Hugh Allan

You were the best, Roscoe.
Bless your heart.

Rats. This just isn't right, losing Roscoe. The Hawaiian shirt is long gone, but we will never outgrow our love for him. No one was such a fierce defender of friends. He could be challenging or gentle, whatever the situation required. He was a terrific cameraman and storyteller. And funny! Not to mention he had the good sense to woo and win Genevieve. Ross was a singular man. The white woolly sheep named in his honour will always occupy the best spot on our Christmas tree. R.I.P., Roscoe. Hugs to all who loved him, from Susan and Paul.

We love you,big galoot...great person, great shooter. I tell stories of our CTV Toronto antics still. You always made us laugh so hard. You will not be forgotten Rosco

Genevieve and Jamie, deepest condolences.Words are not enough to express.

Shirts going on.

Brian Magee

Ross was simply the best! Owen, Ben, Philip and I are all grateful for Ross' kindness, generosity and support over the years. We are very saddened by Ross' passing but glad to have many wonderful memories of our time together (with many of them captured in photographs, thanks to Ross). Gen and Jamie, thanks for sharing this wonderful man with us! Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

Hey Rosco-baby. I already miss you so much. As promised, I will always be there for Gen and Jame. Always. Love you dude. Brig

Tonight I put on my Hawaiian shirt here in Toronto to remember my old friend Roscoe - cameraman extraordinaire and all-around great guy. He was a gentle giant, with an infectious laugh, who was a joy to be around. I remember Ross as a very kind and generous man who shared his considerable experience and wisdom so freely that I'm sure he's being celebrated around the world tonight. Condolences to Genevieve and Jamie and everyone who loves Ross. Thinking of you all tonight and remembering the shooting star who crossed my path so many years ago.
Hedy Korbee

His genius as a camera man was indeed matched by his genius as a human being.
A gentle bear of a man, his warmth and wisdom will be greatly missed by all who had the privilege to meet him. I was lucky enough to work with Rosco for many years at TV3. Quite simply, he made me a better person.
Good bye Rosco you bloody wonderful fellow. My thoughts are with the family you leave behind.

Ross, although I only met you on one trip to NZ, I admired the professional manner in which you championed my daughter Suzanne's cause. My sympathy goes out to Gerry and your son. R.I.P. my friend.

Sorry to hear of Ross's passing, although I knew Ross well from those early Pahiatua days he was also a very good friend and workmate of my late brother, (Lionel Ward). My sympathy to his family. A great man has left us.

All our memories of Rosco make us smile. Those hawaiian shirts, those crazy
eyebrows, those quirky stories....we will miss talking and skyping with him. Our love and thoughts with Gen and Jamie. xxx

Our dear friend and brother-in-law Roscoe was truly a diamond in the rough ~ a grizzly, worldly guy always at home in the thick of the mix of life. And many lives.

But through and through Roscoe was a very gentle, loving, compassionate and selfless man.

You would typically think of him not only for his trademark Hawaiian shirts, khaki shorts, but also toting a camera! Roscoe captured all the colours and textures of life with his lens, and for this he was the best in his trade ~ and he's seen much over 50+ years behind the lens.

That's what he did. But that's just a taste of what he was, who he was!

Roscoe was so, so much more! He was a loving son, father, husband and friend.

For Shanti and I, he was our brother-in-law ~ thanks to the wisdom of my sister, Genevieve, for choosing this wonderful guy some 40 years past. They were true soul mates.

Roscoe, you shall remain forever in our hearts and minds ~ in our memories and in our dreams.

And for all of us whom you have touched by your presence ~ we thank you, Mate! ~ and bid you peace and everlasting joy on your next adventure!

On behalf of the Westcott family in Canada

Ross was much more than a son-in-law. I think of him now as a lost treasure.

The Gentle Giant.

You could see in his face that he loved being a cameraman. He was the best and he spanned the age of the box camera to the digital.

His genius as a cameraman was matched by his genius as a human being, as a husband and as a father.

Genevieve was so lucky to have found this guy in the 70`s in Vancouver and brought him into our family.

We were all so very proud of this affable and lovable Kiwi.

I truly miss him.

Clare Westcott
Rosco's father-in-law, our Dad)

All our sympathies from Peter Kenward [the weathervane man] and Carolyn Atkinson

A wonderful man, a wonderful cameraman. Rosco, we will all miss your big smile and infectious cheerfulness. And our thoughts are with you, Genevieve and Jamie.

That twinkle in his eyes, the cheeky grin, the generosity of spirit, the loud shirts, the warm friendship. All dearly missed, now treasured memories. Genevieve & Jamie, love to you both.

Roscoe was my brother-in-law. For this Canadian kid from the suburbs he was this intriguing, worldly guy - so calm, cool and relaxed, and generous. He always made time for me, even when I was a pesky teenager. Gen and Jamie, please take care and we hope to see you soon. We'll all miss Roscoe! xo

Genevieve and Jamie, We are so sorry to hear the sad news. We hope that the love and support of your family and friends will be a comfort to you. Roscoe was truly one of a kind and his influence on so many people leaves a lasting legacy that you can cherish. ? I am grateful to have learned much of what matters as a journalist from him and thankful for the wonderful memories. Jerry and Joanne

A terrible loss to anyone that had the pleasure of knowing Ross or simply shaking his hand. Proud Godfather to my beautiful daughter Kaitlin. He was an amazing man, admired by many. The stories he told from behind his camera will be remembered forever. So will his Hawaiian shirts! A true Gentleman and a wonderful friend, I will truly miss him.

RIP Ross xx

Love to Genevieve and Jamie at this truly sad time xx

One of the "Greats" of the camera world. Much admired and a wonderful humble man. RIP Rosco

My memories of Ross go back to happy days in Pahiatua where he spent his childhood. Ross was loved by all,always fun to be with. Many happy hours were spent at the local swimming pool where we played and also took part in serious competition..he was a good swimmer. Memories also of Ross the icecream boy and then the Projectionist at the Regent theatre. Was good to see him back in the home town for the 70th birthday of an old friend a few years ago. My condolences to his family and friends.

Roscoe, you will live in my heart and memory forever. You are part of me, love you buddy.

All my heartfelt sympathy and love to Gen and Jamie and of course all the family and friends, we were all so lucky to have had him in our lives.

I will sorely miss you Roscoe, Bernie xo

Roscoe I will never forget the roadtrips they were stories within stories and you were far more than the guy behind the camera such as the time you charmed Joan Collins when she refused to speak to all other media..will miss you buddy you truly are a legend -- Gen and Jamie he will always be in our thoughts

We will love him forever - we are the luckiest people in the world because we had him for so long. Genevieve and Jamie xx

In the very early days of TV3 I used to love watching Rosco with the younger guys in cameras. You want a definition of what a mentor is or should be, it would look a lot like that special man. Condolences and much love to Genevieve and to Jamie. x

Remembering Rosco's humour, raised eyebrow and smile with fondness. A great loss of a good man. Sympathies and thinking of you Gen and Jaimie. xx

So sorry to hear this sad news. I have fond memories of us watching our sons play soccer together in Devonport many moons ago. Much love to Genevieve and Jamie.

Ross was loved and popular growing up in his home town of Pahiatua. He was always happy and funloving with lots of friends. My main memories of him are as a teenager at the local swimming pool (good swimmer) also from icecream boy to projectionist at the local theatre.It was so good to see him again when he returned for the 70th birthday of friend from those days. My sincere sympathy to his family and friends.

Had the privilege of working with Roscoe a few times back in the '90's, loved the canadian tales, his undeniable skill with the lens, but mostly simply loved his sense of humour - any shoot with Roscoe was always relaxed and always very, very funny his sense of humour always hit the right note. I can't be with you all on Friday, I'm shooting Miss Universe in Wellington and I only mention that because if I had given that as a reason to Ross I know that he'd have come back with a cracking one-liner and the thought of that makes me smile - I'll be thinking of him and all his friends and family at what must be a very tough time, my love and sympathy is with you all.

A colleague, friend and mentor to many of us..wearer of fantastic hawaiian shirts, connoisseur of pies, champion of parking tickets, balancer of styrofoam coffee, a body shaking laugh, wise with advice, an amazing story teller and cameraman and a great loss to us all.. Rosco we'll miss you

Rosco was always the true gentleman ... a big heart, welcoming, respectful, considerate, professional. Loving regards to Gen and family.

Oh Genevieve - I was so sorry to hear that Rosco had left us - he was a generous hearted lovely guy and a great cameraman - try to stay strong at this difficult time.

A great neighbour and friend for many years, always had a beer together at the Vancouver press club , a great cameraman , at the Province newspaper.where he and I worked in the 70s.my condolences to Geneveve and Jamie on this sadness xx