It's a sad day for many people in Weyburn as Rev. Ross McMurtry has passed away at the age of 92. 

He was born in Ogema and when it was all said and done preached for over 60 years. The former pastor served at the Grace United Chruch for 30 years and was a staple in the community. 

"As a person born and raised in Weyburn, everyone knew the name, Ross McMurtry," former Weyburn mayor Debra Button said. "In his last 10 years, the work he did on the Tommy Douglas statue, he had such fun getting money out of the community. Those were some of his favourite stories near the end."

He played hockey, baseball and curling. He coached sports and was very involved in minor hockey. He was a beekeeper and had horses and love teaching people to ride them.

He was a public speaker and could tell a story like few can. He enjoyed going for coffee at many different establishments and could talk for hours about anything and everything. 

Isabelle Butters was a close friend of his and said his church was open to anyone, regardless of their religious beliefs. 

"He never turned anybody away from that door. There were people that had no affiliation with a religious organization and he would step in if they came to his door. He certainly did whatever they needed," Butters said. "They would come there off the street with no place to go for that night and with no food, and he took care of them." 

McMurtry worked closely with many people in the city and all that knew him will remember his fun and caring personality. Button says he was always a welcome guest at City Hall during her tenure as mayor.

"I was fortunate enough when I got elected to be a Councillor for six years and the Mayor for 10, I had a lot of dealings with Ross and they were always fun. When he would come into City Hall, you knew you were going to have a good day," she said. "Ross was going to tell you some stories that would make him laugh and even if they weren't exactly funny to you, it was fun to watch him giggle at his shenanigans he usually got into."

Button has one memory and contribution Ross made to the City she won't ever forget. 

"I remember one opportunity ... we were early on in negotiations with the R.M. of Weyburn. We were at an impasse with our landfill and we had to get some spiritual expertise," Button said with a chuckle. "We used him as a mediator and I really think it was his personality that brought us together. It ended very well and we were able to move forward with more opportunities working together with the R.M. and the City of Weyburn. I will always credit that to Ross." 

Along with being a spiritual leader, he undertook two separate campaigns to bring important statues to the Opportunity City. First, in 2010, his hard work helped bring the Tommy Douglas Statue to town and then in 2015 he once again led efforts to build the Pioneer Woman sculpture. Both are still important pieces of Weyburn today.

"He preached here for 30 years and boy, he did awfully well. It was a pleasure to work with him on both of those sculptures and we had a great time," Butters noted. "He showed great leadership and he was dedicated to Weyburn. He stayed here after he retired from the Grace United Church and that says a lot."

McMurtry was a friend to many and will be dearly missed by a lot of folks in the city.

"He was a great friend and such a great contributor to Weyburn. He was always there for people and ready to help them. That was his main objective I think, to help people,"  said Butters.

"I don't we think we will ever meet a more kind or caring man. I believe Ross would give you the shirt off his back if he thought you could use it better or more, he was just that type of man." Button added. "He always made time for everyone. He kind of did a check-in with you when he saw you. Even after I lost the election, Ross was one that popped in on me. My heart is sad today." 

After talking to many people, it's evident Rev. McMurtry would do anything to help someone out if they needed it. We could use a few more people like Ross McMurtry.

A Service of Remembrance will be held on Sunday, February 2 at 2:00 p.m. from Grace United Church.