Biographical Summary
The Honourable Ross Fitzpatrick was born in 1933 to a pioneer Okanagan agricultural family. Upon graduation from UBC with a degree in Commerce and Business Administration he was appointed Research Director to the Royal Commission into the Tree Fruit Industry of British Columbia. Following completion of the Royal Commission he worked for the B.C. Tree Fruits Industry before pursuing post graduate studies.
After a successful business career founding and developing companies in aerospace, oil & gas and mining, he returned to the Okanagan in 1986 to promote value added agriculture and founded CedarCreek Estate Winery to pioneer the planting of vinifera grapes to produce premium quality wines (sold to Von Mandl Family Estates in 2014). Mr. Fitzpatrick is Proprietor and Chairman of Fitzpatrick Family Vineyards at Greata Ranch, a Sparkling Wine House located 9km south of Peachland which opened April 2017 ( www.fitzwine.com ). From 1998 to 2008 Ross Fitzpatrick served in the Senate of Canada representing both Canada and the Okanagan-Similkameen.
Throughout his career he has worked tirelessly to protect the environment, promote green economic development and to contribute to the public and community's well-being. He has received numerous awards for his work including the Order of BC 2009, Freedom of the City of Kelowna 2008, Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal 2002,Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal 2013, Freedom of the City of Oliver 1998, the Canadian Confederation Medal 1992, recipient of Honorary Doctorate of Laws from Okanagan University College in 2003 and UBC Okanagan in 2012, the BC Wine Industry Recognition Award from the B.C. Wine Institute 2014 and the Order of Canada 2021.