Ross Sudnik, a lifelong resident of Hythe, Alberta passed away with family by his side on Friday, December 27, 2013 at the age of 85 years. Ross was born in Smokey Lake, Alberta to parents Max and Tina Sudnik on March 14, 1928. He was the second born with six other brothers and sisters. They had emigrated from the Ukraine the previous year with their infant firstborn son, Oleh. Landing in Halifax, they travelled by train across Canada to Smokey Lake. Maxym and his Uncle Mark Lotosky headed north that fall and filed on adjacent quarter sections near Preston Lake in the Lymburn area. By the following spring, they managed to clear some land, prepare a garden site and build a shelter so that Tatiana, Oleh and Ross could join them. They arrived on May 17, 1929 bringing their few belongings with them and seed to plant their first garden. Oleh, Ross and later his siblings attended the Preston Lake School. By the time Ross was 14, he was increasingly dissatisfied with attending school. His father asked what he wanted to do and Ross said be a mechanic. Max took him in to Jack Finlan's shop in Hythe to begin his apprenticeship. He worked there for several years until the shop closed. Through the years he earned heavy duty and automotive mechanic licenses as well as welding tickets. Trucking for Borden's hauling lumber in winter and gravel in summer developed some new skills. As Dorothy was staying with Borden's at the time, they became acquainted and were married in 1950. Ross' many and varied skills took him on many adventurous work experiences throughout most of Alberta, the McKenzie Valley and in the Northwest Territories and even to Alaska. In 1985 Ross had a heart attack and required a quadruple bypass in the University Hospital in Edmonton. He returned home with many large scars and incisions held together with staples. The University Hospital monitored Ross and the ten other people who had similar surgeries for 12 years. They would phone annually to check in and see if he was following the exercise and dietary instructions he had been given. Ross followed none of them and lived another 28 years. No one else in the group survived more than 11 years. Ross was a strong, tough, hardworking, quiet, generous man who loved challenges, adventure, the outdoors, his family and friends and pets. He lived life to the fullest. Ross was predeceased by his parents Max and Tina Sudnik, and his siblings Oleh and Eugene. Ross is survived by loving wife Dorothy of 63 years, children; Greg (Debbie), and Cindy (Lawrence), grandchildren; Michael, Tina (Todd), Rod (Alison), Nathan (Michelle), Cody (Chelsea), Leonard, and Christina, great grandchildren; Taylor, Tehgan, Brody, Rylan, Shevie, Mason, Sadie, Kayla, Madison, Rebecca, and Zachary, siblings; Claudia (Max), Nancy (Jim), Gloria, and Johnny (Viki), along with numerous nieces and nephews. A Visitation was held on Saturday, January 4, 2014 from 1:00-1:30 PM at the Hythe Royal Canadian Legion Branch 93. A Funeral Service was held on Saturday, January 4, 2014 at 2:00 PM at the Hythe Royal Canadian Legion Branch 93. Pauline Haycock officiated. Interment was held in the Hythe Cemetery. For friends so wishing, donations may be made in memory of Ross to the Heart and Stroke Foundation, 100-119 14th Street NW Calgary AB, T2N1Z6 or to the Hythe Legion, Box 626 Hythe AB, T0H2C0. Very Respectfully Beaverlodge Funeral Service