August 15, 1936 – March 24, 2026

Ross Hay-Roe left this world on March 24, 2026, with his two children by his side, after three long years of living each day without the love of his life, Lee, as his constant companion.

Ross was born in Edmonton, Alberta the youngest of Edmund and Ruth Hay-Roe’s 6 children, allegedly delivered by his father (an osteopath and MD) on the kitchen table!

After graduating high school, Ross studied Aeronautics at Cal Tech in Calgary and moved to Toronto where Ross worked on the Avro Arrow.  His career as an Aeronautical Engineer ended abruptly the day the Canadian Government shut down the program in 1957. Ross made his way back to Edmonton where he studied commerce at the University of Alberta, later achieving the CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst) designation.

Moving back to Toronto, Ross began working as a sell-side equity analyst focusing on the Forest Products industry. Moving around to various firms, Ross developed a great reputation in the industry, but in the mid-70s left Canada to travel the world as a hippie in a typical-for-the-era quest to “find himself”.  In the end he found Jesus Christ, in India, in about 1974.

Ross returned to Canada and was warmly welcomed back as a sell-side analyst, eventually settling in Vancouver to be closer to his children. In 1977 he married Lee Bowden, whom he had met years earlier at work. In 1981 Ross and Lee started their own business together, a monthly economic analysis of the forest products industry, known as PaperTree Letter. For the next decade they published these reports, to a paid circulation in over 40 countries. Ross’ knowledge and passion for the forest products industry helped to make PaperTree Letter the success that it was. This work also allowed the couple to travel widely together, including a one-year, round-the-world sabbatical trip.

Shortly after returning from the sabbatical, Ross and Lee helped to start an independent investment research shop called Equity Research Associates. Given the level of insight and critical thinking Ross brought to his analysis, his viewpoints were highly sought after. Ross expanded the firm’s forest products coverage and eventually sold the business, which now operates as ERA Forest Products Research.  

Ross and Lee’s penchant for entertaining led them to regularly host family and friends for summer BBQs, Boxing Day lunches, dinner parties, the annual Handel’s Messiah party, or G&Ts on the patio.  These occasions will continue to be fondly remembered.

Ross leaves behind his children Jane and Jeff (Jacquie), 11 grandchildren (and spouses) and 6 great-grandchildren, all in B.C.; and beloved family in Texas, Arizona, Florida, Hawaii, Colorado, Oregon, Washington, Australia, and Central America.  He was predeceased by his wife Lee.

Condolences and any fond memories can be sent to his daughter, Jane Hay-Roe at: janemhr [at] me.com