If there was anything the late Wayne Ross loved, it was Batman, his family, and the community.
This is one of the reasons why the Town of Bonnyville decided to name a local Affordable Housing Unit in his honour.
On Wednesday, Oct. 3., the town unveiled the official sign for the building that will be now known as Wayne Manor, located at 4011 46 St.
"We're here to recognize, not only the individual, but the hard work of the Dove Centre," explained Mayor Gene Sobolewski. "Wayne was the first individual that occupied this residence, and it's been quite a journey and process from when we built the facility."
The sign was designed in black and yellow, to represent Wayne's love for DC Comics superhero, Batman. Wayne's family found it a fitting way to honour his memory.
"He was a big Batman fan. It was something he was passionate about," expressed his brother Brian Ross. "It turned out great, the yellow and black are just fantastic. It's really nice of council to make this gesture."
The town voted in favour of renaming the Affordable Housing Unit during a regular council meeting in June 2017, because of Brian's work with the local Affordable Housing Association, and the family's involvement with the community over the years.
"It's great to have it named after him, and recognition for our family's involvement in opportunities for the disabled," Brian expressed.
Their parents were vital in the creation of the Dove Centre. Wayne was there from day one when the project broke ground.
"It was basically a tribute to Wayne, and to the Ross family for all the work they do with the Dove Centre... It was a small and fitting tribute for them," Sobolewski detailed.
Moving out on his own was an adjustment for Wayne, who grew to love his apartment over the six years he lived there.
"He hated, and then he loved (living there). He loved home, and he lived with my parents for most of his life. My dad passed when he was 61, and my mom got very ill 10 years ago. For him to continue to live at home wasn't a possibility, and he always wanted a place of his own. It was so different for him but he grew to love it. It worked out well," reflected Brian.
The sign will be a reminder for the Ross family of how important the facility was for Wayne, and how he once called it home.
"For us as a family, it's recognition for Wayne that's lasting and that some of the effort that my parents put in has left a mark," Brian said, adding while the tribute was made for the Ross family, he sees it as a homage to all those overcoming the same hurdles as Wayne did.
"It's an honour for kids who grew up with Wayne facing the same challenges that Wayne had. It's his name on there, but it's really about them and in recognition of them."
