Ken Ross and his wife, Kelly Ross, co-owned the Your Independent Grocer location in Barrhaven. (Greater Nepean Chamber of Commerce website) Barrhaven died in hospital on Sunday evening and is being mourned by his family and the community he was active in. The co-owner of the Your Independent Grocer location indied in hospital on Sunday evening and is being mourned by his family and the community he was active in.

Ken Ross, 54, died from complications due to pneumonia after being diagnosed with lymphoma, according to an emailed statement from Heather Tessier, who is acting as a spokesperson for the family.

He had been in hospital since January.

Ross was on the board of directors of Oktoberfest Ottawa, and actively worked with the event, as well as the annual Canada Day celebrations in Barrhaven, said colleague and friend Darrell Bartraw.

Ross was also a member of the Greater Nepean Chamber of Commerce and has received several awards from the organization, Bartraw said.

Ken Ross died Sunday evening at the age of 54. (Photo courtesy Heather Tessier) Barrhaven Food Cupboard and worked with the Santa Claus parade, among other initiatives. Ross was also president of theFood Cupboard and worked with the Santa Claus parade, among other initiatives.

"The list just goes on and on," Bartraw said. "It's clear that he was a businessman and he knew that if you help out the community, they help you out. There are other stores that I could shop at but because Ken supported the community, I supported Ken, and a lot of people will talk about that.

"And he did it, because I think he actually loved the community, because anybody can do the stuff he did but not to the [level of] involvement that he did — just incredible. And it was for the love of the community.

"Life goes on for the rest, I suppose, but it's going to be a huge void for the community. Nobody will fill his shoes. It's just incredible, what he did for the community," Bartraw said.

Nepean-Carleton MPP Lisa MacLeod tweeted Monday that in a span of five years, Ross and his wife donated nearly $500,000 to "charities, clubs, sports teams and schools," and that his legacy will be felt in the community.

Ross is survived by his wife, Kelly Ross, who co-owns the grocery, as well as his two sons, one stepdaughter and one stepson.

Funeral arrangements have not yet been made. Donations may be made to the Barrhaven Food Cupboard.