Passed away peacefully, at Glenwarren Lodge in Victoria, B.C. on December 25, 2009. Beloved husband of Isabelle for 66 years; father of Michael (Janice), Nancy (John), Stephen (Bernice), Jeffrey (Mary), Joel (Maria), Trish (Paul); grandfather and great grandfather of fifteen. Born in Hamilton, Ontario July 20, 1922, Russ graduated from McMaster University after returning from active service in the Second World War. After many years with the Canadian Manufacturers’ Association, Russ opened his own business providing outsourced management to a variety of trade associations in Toronto and then Ottawa. After retiring to Victoria in 1990, Russ happily tended to his garden, played the piano, took long walks along the ocean and relaxed in his library surrounded by his books. He always looked forward to visits from his large family and would share his passion for music, books and nature with all. In the last year, Alzheimer’s robbed him of many of his favourite pursuits but his eyes would still light up when he saw Isabelle, his children or his grandchildren. The family would like to thank the staff at Glenwarren Lodge for their compassion and care for Russ over the last seven months.
A memorial service will be held at St. Mary’s Church, 1701 Elgin Street in Oak Bay on Wednesday, December 30th at 3:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Alzheimer’s Society of Canada would be greatly appreciated.
-
Richard and Rose McQueen
-
Bing So Dear Jeff , Mary, and the Neal family,
My deepest condolences.
Bing So
-
Jeff and Jennifer Gray Jeff ,Mary and Scott and to all of the Neal family,
we were deeply saddened to hear about your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you
Jeff , Jennifer, Daniel, Erin
-
Jeff Locke Jeff, I’m sorry to hear about the passing of your father. My thoughts are with you and your family in this difficult time. Take care. Jeff Locke
-
Brenda Easton Dear Jeff & family,
My sincerest condolences to you.
-Brenda Easton
-
Bruno Fortier Jeff, Mary and the Neal family,
My sincere condolences and sympaties for your loss. My thoughts are with you. Cherished thoughts will remain forever.
Bruno.
-
Jessica Xin Dear Jeff and Family,
I am deeply saddened to hear about the passing of your father. I would like to express my sincere condolences to you and your family.
Jessica
-
Brian McGinn Jeff,
Please accept my sincerest condolences during this very difficult time for you and your family.
Brian McGinn
-
Michel Ranger Sincere condolences to the Neal family.
-
Colleen Doggett My deepest condolences are extended to the Neal family. It’s terribly hard to lose a beloved family member but rest assured, he’s at peace with God and watches over you. Just close your eyes and you’ll see him well.
Take care
Colleen
-
William Lam I was deeply saddened to hear of your loss. My thoughts are with you and your family.
-
Anna Levitsky Dear Jeff and Family,
I offer my deepest condelences to you and your family. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
Anna
-
Helen Morgan Dear Jeff
Please accept my sincere condolences on the loss of your father.
Helen
-
Carole Ford Dear Jeff and family,
My thoughts and prayers are with you during this very difficult time. Please accept my heartfelt condolences.
Carole
-
Bill Yi Jeff, I was saddened by your father’s passing away, and our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this time.
-
Carol Cooke Jeff , I am so very sorry for your loss, especially on Christmas Day. In this time of grief, take comfort in the loving memories of your father and the support of family and friends. My prayers and thoughts are with you.
Carol Cooke
-
Pauline C. Hachey Dear Jeff and family,
My sincere condolences for your loss. My prayers are with all you.
Regards,
Pauline
-
Ko Kwan I am sorry to hear that your father has passed away. It is always difficult for family members to deal with this type of situation. My condolences to you and your family. Think about the great times that you spend with your father.
-
Suzanne Powell Jeff, Mary and the Neal family,
I’m very sorry to hear of the loss of your father. My thoughts are with you at this difficult time.
Suzanne
-
Brian Reddy Jeff, Mary and all the Neal family,
Our sincerest condolences to your family
-
Lynn Gagnon Jeff,
It is with regreat that we hear of the lost of your father. I wish to send my deepest condolences to you and your family. Our thoughts are with you.
Lynn Gagnon
-
Pierre Paradis Jeff ,
Sorry to learn of the loss of your father.
My condolences to you and your family.
Pierre
-
Denise Cormier Jeff & family,
Sorry to hear about the loss of your father. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Denise
-
Stephen Crowther My deepest sympathies go out to the Neal family. May cherished thoughts live long in your memories.
-
Bhawani Jeff, Mary and family:
Sorry to learn of the loss of your father. My sincere condolences on the loss of your father.
Bhawani
-
Dom Bernier Dear Jeff and family,
My heart goes out to you during this difficult time. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Dom
-
Peter and Naomi Perry Naomi and I are saddened to learn of the death of Russ and we send our heartfelt condolences to Isabelle and his family.
We have very fond memories of Russ and Isabelle when they lived among us in Kanata and at St. John’s Church South March. Russ and I were on the Church Council together for some time. I greatly enjoyed his good humour, kindness and patrician style. In 2001 we had the delight and privilege to stay with Russ and Isabelle for a few days in their home in Victoria. For me Russ was very special and he will be greatly missed by many.
-
Kate McLeod Dear Jeff, Mary and family:
I am so sorry to learn of the passing of your Dad. His hobbies and interests are very similar to my own, and I think he would have been someone that I would have enjoyed getting to know. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Kate McLeod
-
John and Elisa La Vecchia Dear Joel, Maria, Christina, Samantha and family,
We are extremely sorry to hear of the loss of your father/grandfather. He was a wonderful person. Our thoughts are with you.
Johnny, Elisa, Alex, Leo and Joseph La Vecchia
-
Ron and Adriana Wollenschlager Dear: Joel, Maria, Christina, Samantha and the Neal Family
Our deepest condolences on the passing of a beloved husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this difficult time.
Ron, Adriana, Steven and Dorothy Wollenschlager
-
Harry & Beryl Kerrison Dear Isabelle and family,
Beryl & I extend our most sincere condolences on the passing of Russell.
Along with his many friends and triumphs in the business world of Canada, Russell was a fellow member of one of Captain J.R. Cornelius’ famous track and field teams in the late 1930s and early ’40s. Neal, Bryant, Gates and Kerrison were a “team”, remainded so and always will, in my mind, in H.C.C.I., R.C.A.F. and as forever comrades.
Our hearts go out to you.
Beryl and Harry
-
Shafiq Jeff, Mary and all Neal family,
We are so sorry to hear passing of your father, our sincerest condolences.
Shafiq & Saima
-
Borthwick,john Jack) Yesterday I saw in The Spectator about Russ.My memory bank took me back to Central Collegiate and Isabel Rushton in Room #3 ( Miss Baker ). I remember Stan ( ? ) , Marge Walker, Harry Kerrison,Gord Furry & Capt Corneilous(sp).I too was in the RCAF WW2 & worked on a McMaster committee with Russ.I met my wife Ruth at MAC & 60 years later we are still together . We have 3 children, 6 grandchildren & 2 great granddaughters. I taught High School at Delta & Central & retired in 1985 as a Supervisor. I have many more memories. But I send Sincere Condolences to you & family
-
Diane Dunstall,Oak Bay Garden Club Dear Isabelle,
We were very sorry to learn this sad news. Russ was a generous supporter and enthusiastic member of our club for many years and he will be greatly missed.
Our condolences to you and your family.The Oak Bay Garden Club
-
Simon & Francine Our Deepest Sympathy Steve and Family.
Simon & Francine.
-
Claudette and Jim White Dear Joel and Maria:
Jim and I are sending to you and your family our deepest sympathies. I know from experience what it is like to lose a much loved family member. Our thoughts and our prayers are with you.
Claudette and Jim White
-
Abe Finkelstein and Beverley Leeks Our thoughts are with the family. Hoping your memories of the joyful and loving times with Russell carry you through these difficult times.
-
Kathy Summers To Trish and all of your family.
We are so sorry to hear about the loss of your dad. I know he was very proud of all of you and particularly appreciative of having you and your family near.
Kathy Summers/John Picken
-
Sean Smith Jeff and Mary,
Sorry to learn of the loss of your father.
My condolences to you and your family.
Sean
-
Doug and Janice McCallum Jeff, Mary and all the Neal family,
Doug and I send our sincere sympathies to the family. We know that losing a parent is never easy. Our hope is that passing time, caring friends and loving memories will help and comfort you through the coming days. Please know that you are in our thoughts.
Janice
-
John and Sarah Nephin Dear Jeff (and Mary),
We are so sorry to hear about the passing of your father. You are in our thoughts and prayers. Memories live forever!
John, Sarah, Heidi, and Earl Nephin
-
Rick LAyden My Herart goes out to your Family Jeff! I am very sorry for your loss!
Rick Layden
-
Nancy Imrie To all the Neal family from Nancy, Len and Melanie, we wish to express our condolences at this time. Our thoughts are with you.
Dear Steve, Hillary and Rachel,
Deepest sympathy on the loss of your father and grandfather.
Sincerely,
Richard, Rose, Robert and Stephanie McQueen