The Ross family owns the world-renowned Butchart Gardens in Victoria, B.C., Canada. Ross took control of the attraction that draws over a million visitors each year after the death of his father, Ian. But long before that, Christopher was responsible for one of the greatest attractions at the Gardens: the summer fireworks.
The spectacular show brings so many visitors on Saturdays each July and August that the park typically fills to capacity and latecomers must be turned away. The choreographed artistry of fire, set to music, leaves spectators in awe. Ross designed a new show every year using the latest pyrotechnic devices he found on yearly trips to France and China. Each 30- to 45-minute performance took a several-man crew a week to set up. Ross, a non-smoker, learned just a month ago he had lung cancer, and died from it at his Victoria home on December 3. He was 56.
Author’s Note: Christopher was a dear friend of mine for many years.