“Russ” passed away peacefully in Langford on Oct 22, 2015. Russell was born in 1936 in Manitoba, youngest of four, and the only boy. His family moved to Vanderhoof, B.C. in 1940, then shortly afterwards settled in Trail. After graduation from J. Lloyd Crowe high school, Russ moved to Vancouver Island, and in 1956 graduated from Malaspina College as a heavy duty mechanic. He began work with Island Tug, which later became Seaspan, continuing his education to become a second class marine engineer and achieving top marks in Canada. Russell married in 1959 and settled in Langford to raise his family of three sons. During his extended summers from sea, Russ packed up the family and went exploring B.C. on month-long camping trips in the backwoods with close family friends, the Stinsons. Russell took great pride in his work and retired in 1982. While he often reminisced about his years at sea, his retirement gave him time to build up his workshop and he became a true craftsman, bestowing this love of fine workmanship on his sons. Russell was a hobbyist, and really believed in waste not, want not, keeping his blue ’78 Ford Crew Cab in top condition for 35 years. Russell moved to Alexander Mackie Lodge in 2007 where he greatly enjoyed the social life, always with a good joke. Daily he fed the fish in the Koi pond, worked puzzles, and got caught up on the Turner Classics. Russell had a cheerful, curious and accepting personality. He looked forward to his weekly lunches with his sons, and frequent visits from his grandchildren, enjoying stories of their milestones and successes.
Russell will be fondly remembered by his 3 sons William and Steven of Victoria, and Robert of Surrey, and 3 grandchildren, Wm. Robert Dale, Gavin, and Heather.
Family and friends will gather for a celebration of Russell’s life on Sun, Nov 29, 2015 at 11 a.m. at Royal Canadian Legion #91, Langford. As an expression of sympathy donations in Russell’s memory may be made to The Boys and Girls Club of Victoria.
Russell was a hardworking, gentle and kind man who will live in our hearts forever.