Memorable Manitobans: Ross Douglas Cairns (1928-2004)

Pharmacist, community activist, municipal official.

Born at Wadena, Saskatchewan on 24 May 1928, son of George and Mildred Cairns, the family moved to Winnipeg where he attended Laura Secord Elementary School and Gordon Bell High School. He attended United College and the University of Manitoba where he graduated with a degree in Pharmacy (1954).

He worked successively in pharmacies at Winnipeg (1955-1957), Minnedosa (1957-1959), Virden (1959-1965), Cartwright (1965-1972), Grandview (1972-1981), and Gilbert Plains (1981-1984). He was active in all aspects of community life as a volunteer and, as a member of the Kinsmen Club, he helped to spearhead the construction of a school for the mentally handicapped. He served as a trustee on the Turtle Mountain School Division, as the Mayor of Cartwright (1968-1970), and on the board of the Grandview Personal Care Home. In 1978, he was awarded the Robins Bowl of Hygeia as pharmacist of the year for his community involvement and volunteerism.

On 2 July 1955, he married Inez Lauerne Yuill and they had two daughters and a son.

He died at Grandview on 20 September 2004.

Sources:

“Engagement notices,” Winnipeg Free Press, 4 June 1955, page 21.

“Announcement,” Grandview Exponent, 19 December 1984, page 20.

Obituary, Winnipeg Free Press, 25 September 2004.

This page was prepared by Ian Stewart, Lois Braun, and Gordon Goldsborough.

Page revised: 12 June 2022

Memorable Manitobans

Memorable Manitobans

This is a collection of noteworthy Manitobans from the past, compiled by the Manitoba Historical Society. We acknowledge that the collection contains both reputable and disreputable people. All are worth remembering as a lesson to future generations.

Search the collection by word or phrase, name, place, occupation or other text:

Custom Search

Browse surnames beginning with:
A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | Y | Z

Browse deaths occurring in:
1978 | 1979 | 1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 1990 | 1991 | 1992 | 1993 | 1994 | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024


Send corrections and additions to this page
to the Memorable Manitobans Administrator at biographies@mhs.mb.ca

Criteria for Memorable Manitobans | Suggest a Memorable Manitoban | Firsts | Acknowledgements

Help us keep
history alive!