Streaming of Funeral Service
After watching the service online, if you can leave a guest message to let the family know you have joined into the service, that would be greatly appreciated.
This service will have a password applied once edited, you will then need to contact the family for the password to access.
Following the service, the footage will be posted and you can watch at a later time if you were unable to watch at the time of the service. Please note, footage will only be available for 1 year from the time of the service.
What a beautiful service for a very special teacher. ❤️
I loved seeing Ross walk around Mordialloc/Parkdale with his dog that he adored.
We would always talk for such a long time.
❤️
What a beautiful tribute, celebration of life, memorial service to such an amazing and compassionate human being. So grateful for Ross to have been in our family’s life all these years, so many beautiful moments and laughs together. Thank you, Ross, for your friendship and for your life so well lived. Cheers and love from Minnesota.
Holding Ross’s family in my heart — his loving daughters Jen, Sophie and Lily — as you find strength in this difficult moment.
Thank you for allowing us to share in such a touching and emotional memorial. I feel truly honoured to have known Ross.
He was a man of rare generosity, always giving a part of himself to others. I will miss the warmth of his smile and the wisdom in his words.
RIP Ross.
Wow what a visionary. I was at Sandy Tech from 1984-1986. Ross never knew that I was interested in Engineering. I did a sugar scoop in metal work and got a B+. There was an option to go to Melbourne Uni to hear about Women in STEM. Despite agreeing with my dad to do nursing. I listened to Ross and went. There were no women engineers at the talk. But the fact that Ross opened me up to my childhood dream of aerospace engineering is incredible. I completed nursing at Deakin and as predicted I hated night shift. I am doing a pre apprenticeship in automotive and then I will add a Bachelor of engineering from my Alma Mater. Ross really did support women to be what they want to be.
My Gosh what a beautiful service for such a wonderful teacher. I am the logical engineer who likes to stuff my feelings in a box. My name is Brigitte Alexander. Prior to that I was Known as Jackie Gold. I changed my name due to marrying someone not good for me. I was his student at Sandringham tech from 1984-1986. Your Dad was a visionary who would look in people’s souls. I never told your dad this but he managed to see it in my soul. My dad was a fitter and turner for the department of defence and worked in aerospace. When I was five I dreamt that I was an aerospace engineer with another degree in electrical engineering. I also dreamt I was an astronaut. I was a massive NASA nerd. My dad supported my desire for aerospace engineering but was worried how I would be received as a woman. My dad told me do nursing and then when the time is right complete engineering. I completed metal work at Tech, and made a sugar scoop my one and only B+. I had a natural aptitude for metal. There was an opportunity to hear about women in STEM at Melbourne University. Ross made sure I went to Melbourne University. I was told if you do nursing you will hate nightshift. I did nursing at Deakin and I hated nightshift. At the session at Melbourne. I asked about hearing from a female engineer. Not one was available. The speaker looked at me and said. Maybe one of you will be the first. I was upset I could not go to the funeral. I was doing a pre apprenticeship in automotive with a goal to be a mechanic and then add on an engineering degree from my Alma Mater Deakin University. I was in class. I imagined I was speaking to Ross. I could imagine him saying about Bl…dy time and laugh and smile. I was an end of life care nurse and to Ross’s daughter’s death is not the end. When I looked after patients I felt their loved ones in the room. Also we are all energy and that cannot be destroyed but changes form.
I was saddened to hear of one of my favourite teachers from Sandy Tech pass. My years were (1979-1983) and Ross left a love of history reading and the humanities with me which has followed me into adulthood and helped me pass onto my daughters the love of the English language and history. Thank you for inspiring those around you. My sincere condolences to his beautiful family and friends. Vale Ross Downs.
I worked at Sandy Tech from 1977 to 1986 and have fond memories of Ross in the Humanities Dept. It was a pleasure to work with him and am saddened to hear of his passing. I never met his family and his 3 loverly girls and my thoughts are with them at this time.
We are so fortunate that your family came into our lives. It has been a privilege getting to know all of you. Your dad always made those around him feel special.
What a beautiful service for a wonderful man.
Sending hugs to Jen, Soph and Lil and all of your family. Rest easy dear Ross x
What a beautiful service. What a beautiful man & family. Love just keeps on shining through. Sending a huge hug to the Down sisters. x
Thank you for sharing such a beautiful send off for Ross.
He really gets into the very fibres of every one he spent any time at all with.
Take care Jenn, Shopie and Miss Lilly.
Much love. Chris.
Jen, Sophie, Lily, your amazing parents left this world too soon, but know that the girls Liz and Ross nurtured shone through today. Please take care of yourselves and each other.
Thinking of you.
Anne Jackson
What a beautiful way to celebrate the life of Ross. He was a remarkable man, I’m a better person for having him been a part of my early adult life. My thoughts are with his three daughters. He was always so proud of his girls and watching you all during your reflections I can see so much of Ross in all of you. Much love to you all. RIP Ross
My cup runneth over… so much love, respect, admiration, and beautiful, beautiful memories. I can barely catch my breath when I think that my dear friend, Ross, is no longer with us. I so adored him. Jenn, Sophie and Lilliy, you orchestrated a beautiful tribute to your Dad. Hat’s off dear ones.
What a beautiful service for a beautiful soul that changed so many lives. He will be missed greatly but will always be remembered as one of the best. Rest easy Mr Down!
Ross was a lovely, kind, caring man who gave his time freely to those he came in contact with. He will be missed.
Treasured and beautiful memories of such a beautiful and caring work colleague and friend.
Our footy and Labrador chats will last forever in my memory bank.
A red wine (or 2) tonight Ross, in your memory,
R.I.P Ross, reunited with your darling Liz.
Barb Kearsley
I will never forget meeting Ross for first time, so evident was his compassion for others
His love for life lives on in his beautiful girls. Vale Ross
Will never forget meeting Ross for first time, so evident was his compassion
A beautiful farewell, sending love and knowing his love for life shines on through his girls. Vale Ross.
You are one of a kind Ross. I’ll miss you dearly, very, very lucky to have known you. My heart goes out to the family. ❤️
Dear Jen, Sophie, Lily and the Down family,
We send condolences to you all on the death of your beloved Ross.
We too have great memories of his kindness, thoughtfulness and generosity.
Rest in peace Ross.
Kathleen, Ulrich and the Gerber Family
What a beautiful tribute to a beautiful man. It makes me long to have known him better. He truly left an incredible legacy is his three lovely daughters. Rest in peace dear man.
Farewell Ross … thanks for the years of traveling around the state presenting Psych revision lectures for Access Education.
Dear Ross,
You will be remembered as a man who was generous with knowledge, time and resources in the Psych teaching world. A man who saw potential and held a light for others.
Thank you to Ross’ daughters for sharing your dad with us all xxx
Ross impacted so many lives in so many ways and enriched them all. A lovely memorial to a man who deserved the very best.
Fitting Tribute to a fine man.
Thank you for sharing.
Beautiful! Thank you so much for helping us be a part of the celebration! Sending so much love and wishing we could be there for a hug and a toast. Know that we are with you in spirit!
I worked with Ross at Sandy College. A great teacher and a very sensitive man. Taken too soon. A really loving service.
Regards
Mel
Thank you for introducing me over the last few years to your glorious Dad. Lily, Sophie and Jennifer you are as beautiful, talented and generous as you are because you were obviously raised by parents overflowing with love and decency and generosity. A stunning tribute to a stunning man. Much love to you all in your terrible grief and loss.
A beautiful service for a wonderful man. I will miss Ross dearly. Sending my love and condolences to his family xx
A great loss to the teaching profession but the ripples will last forever. Ross is one the most generous, humble but impactful teachers of a generation. He mentored 1000’s of psychology teachers of which I was lucky enough to be one. The ripple of impact to millions of students will be his legacy. Thank you Ross. You were truly a gentleman and you will be greatly missed.
So aorry we couldnt be there in person. Beautiful service
Thinking of Ross’s family and friends during this difficult time.
As one of his former VCE Psychology students, I’m so grateful for his kindness, his depth of knowledge and the way he taught us to understand the world beyond just the classroom.
Thank you for everything Ross
Kind regards,
Sarah Gordon
My thoughts are with you all as you navigate the loss of your beautiful dad.
Much Love,
Bianca Taylor
Sincere condolences on the passing of dear Ross. A neighbour from East Bentleigh days. Now reunited with Liz and other dear family members. RIP Ross. Kind regards Mary and Paul Cheshire.
Lots of love to all of you.
Your parents will always hold a special place in my heart
Joy McInnes and family (former cleaner)