Editor's note: Updates throughout
OLDS - Prayers and tributes and funeral mass will be held this week for the patriarch of a farm family with 125 years of history in the area who was killed in a motor vehicle collision on Nov. 6.
The family of Ross Cornell Holmes announced his sudden passing in an obituary published by McInnes & Holloway Funeral Homes.
Holmes, 83, was a lifelong, active member of the Hainstock community in Mountain View County and a founding member of the Lions Club in Olds. He and his wife Sharon were also active members with St. Stephen’s Catholic Church in Olds and lately had volunteered many hours with Meals on Wheels.
“Ross was particularly proud of the fact that the Holmes family has continuously owned and farmed the land his grandfather homesteaded one hundred and twenty-five years ago. As with most farmers, retirement was an unknown concept for Ross who, at eighty-three, was still very active on the family farm, helping his sons with their cattle and grain operations,” the obituary reads in part.
“He was always very safe and meticulous in everything he did and was known for doing the right thing. Ross always had time to stop and visit; everyone enjoyed his genuine and friendly sense of humour.”
RCMP reported that an 83-year-old man from Olds was killed in a collision on Highway 1 between Brooks and Bassano on Nov. 6.
RCMP say the collision between a truck and tow truck occurred at about 2:40 p.m. that day.
“Preliminary investigation has revealed the truck carrying a horse trailer was heading westbound on Highway 1 when it collided with a stationary tow truck that was assisting on a separate call,” an RCMP news release stated. “The tow truck had emergency lights activated and was on the side of the highway.
“Road conditions were icy at the time of the collision.”
The Olds resident, who was driving the truck, was pronounced deceased at the scene. An adult female passenger was airlifted to a Calgary hospital with injuries described by police as “serious” and “life-threatening.”
The operators of the tow truck were not injured.
Police said they did not plan to lay charges in the incident and added they would not be releasing the name of the deceased.
Traffic on Highway 1 was diverted while police investigated the collision. The detour was lifted by about 8:20 p.m.
Prayers and tributes for Holmes will be held tomorrow at St. Stephen's Catholic Church. Funeral mass will be held Tuesday, Nov. 26 followed by a reception and graveside service at the Hainstock cemetery.
- With files from Lea Smaldon
