Peter Ross, who died in a workplace accident last week, with sons Leighton, left, and Adam.By Shaun Inguanzo
STATEWIDE tributes are flooding in for Noble Park stalwart Peter Ross who died unexpectedly last week while working at a Melbourne dock.
Police said Mr Ross, 56, was helping unload cargo from a ship at 8.30pm on Friday, 19 January at the Port of Melbourne.
Police believe a crane working on the deck of the ship was lifting a load of steel, which swung and then crushed Mr Ross, killing him instantly.
His death has left the Noble Park community in mourning, but none more so than Mr Ross’ family and friends.
Mr Ross leaves behind his first wife Glenda and sons Leighton, 25, and Adam, 32, and current partner Rhonda.
Leighton described his father as his “best mate”.
“We (the family) are doing our best to cope with it,” he said.
“It was a tragic accident that happened out of nowhere and a lot of us are in a state of shock.
“It doesn’t feel real at the moment.”
Leighton said his father was well-respected and left a lasting impression on every person he met.
Mr Ross devoted 28 years to both the Noble Park Football Club Juniors, where he was a life member, and to the Noble Park Football Social Club.
He remained loyal to the club even after his sons finished their junior football years.
Mr Ross’ strong bond with the Noble Park Social Club and its members emanated through the social drinks he shared with friends at the clubrooms after work.
Senior football club president and Mr Ross’ friend, Kevin Wright, said he recalled drinking with Mr Ross on the Wednesday prior to his shock death.
“I’m going to miss him being around,” a devastated Mr Wright said.
“He had a great smile, would give the odd race tip every now and then, and was friendly with everyone.”
Mr Wright said Mr Ross was always first to put his hand up for selling raffle tickets, donating raffle prizes, or helping his beloved ‘Parks’ in anyway possible.
Mr Ross’ brother Bryan, 53, said he was unsure if he would ever overcome the tragic loss of his brother –just 15 months after their mother passed away.
“I don’t know if I’ll ever get over it,” he said.
“As to how I’m coping, I’ve got to do what I’ve got to do, and that’s wake up everyday and start again.
“The last time I saw him was Christmas Day and we spent all day together.
“I had only spoken to him on the phone last Tuesday and again last Thursday.”
Mr Ross’ popularity was evident in the flood of death notices in this week’s metropolitan newspapers.
Known to workmates as Roscoe, Mr Ross was remembered publicly by the Maritime Union of Australia for his work.
The Sydney Swans Football Club, the Dandenong and District Junior Football League, Mr Ross’ fellow dock workers and friends were among those posting death notices.
Leighton said his father’s popularity was so wide-ranging that he didn’t know half the people who expressed their sadness at Mr Ross’ death.
Greater Dandenong Keysborough Ward councillor Roz Blades, who knows the Ross family personally, said Mr Ross’ death was a “terrible shock” to the community, and she would lobby the council to honour his community commitment with a certificate or letter to his family.
The Ross family is expecting a large crowd of mourners to attend Peter’s funeral at the Springvale Botanical Cemetery today (Thursday).
