Ross joined the YMCA in Peterborough at an early age (9-10) and set records in backstroke and butterfly speed swimming.

He loved hockey and was an excellent player.  He proudly displayed a stick signed by all the Toronto Maple Leafs he had won in a radio callin contest.  The stick suffered its demise from a slapshot, but not diswaded, Ross cut off the blade and hung it for years on his wall.  

Ross loved music.  He initially took lessons on the piano at 13-14 years of age which later grew into a lifelong passion.  His parents bought him his first keyboard at the age of 15.   No public piano was left idle when Ross walked by.