October 14, 1927 – January 13, 2017

Alfred Thomas Russell, age 89, of Prince Albert, SK, passed away peacefully after a brief stay in hospital on January 13, 2017.   He will be lovingly remembered by his children Laurie, Bonnie and Rob.  Dad was born October 14, 1927 at Mecunoma, Lount Township, Northeastern Ontario (also known as Bummer’s Roost).  He was the eldest son to Thomas and Susan Russell, brother to June Hall and Stanley Russell.  He walked or skied to the Rye School, a one room School House.  Dad was an outdoorsman and avid adventurer from an early age.  From the age of 14 to 27 he worked in every province from Quebec to BC, doing work wherever he could find it, including on a threshing crew and at lumber mills.  At the age of 18 he and his uncle and father cleared a road and 3 lakefront lots where he built his first log cabin at Spring Lake, Ontario, which he got to revisit with his children a few years ago.  One of his favourite early jobs was working the tobacco harvest in Tillsonburg, Ontario.  Anytime he would hear Stompin Tom’s “Tillsonburg”, he would recount stories of his times on the tobacco farms.  Any place he travelled for work, he always made it back for tobacco harvest.  He always said “It was hard work, but the pay was good”.  In September 1955, Dad married Mom, Beth Ralston, of South River, Ontario.  They had grown up in the same area, and their families knew each other.  They started their married life in Balsam Creek, Ontario, where 4 children soon followed.  Dad began his long Pulp Mill career in Temiskaming, Quebec.  He spent any spare time hunting and fishing. He was active in the community, and as his kids grew he coached hockey and ball.  When Dad heard the Pulp Mill would be closing, he and Carl Dobratz and Herc Heroux headed west to help with the set up of the new Pulp Mill in Prince Albert, SK.  It didn’t take long to meet many new friends who shared the same interests for hunting and fishing.  Once us kids left the house, Mom joined Dad in his many adventures.  They were avid supporters of the PA Raiders from their inception, and followed them on many road trips.  Dad’s love of the bush led to him and Carl to buying lots at Little Bear Lake, and Mom helped with the building of Dad’s log cabin.  He always called it his “Trapper Shack”, and was a source of pride for Dad.  He and friends and family have all spent many years enjoying the cabin, and it continues to be a favourite place for us, his grandkids and now his great-grandkids. Mom passed in 1990, and Dad became the centre of our family.  He always enjoyed cards, and in his later years his socializing usually centered around a good game of crib and a drink with friends that would drop by.  His last wishes were that his family play cards and drink beer, so here’s to you Dad!   Alfred will be lovingly remembered by his daughter Laurie (Royce) Walker of Prince Albert, SK and their children Lisa Walker (Jon Cennon) of Saskatoon, SK, Lee Walker (Sarah Beckman) of Prince Albert, SK, Kristy Walker (Clayton Balone) of Saskatoon, SK; his daughter Bonnie Hoffus of Greenwater Lake, SK and her children Karri (Jeff) Howlett of Saskatoon, SK, Amanda Hoffus (Adam King) of Bend, Oregon, Tyler (Megan) Hoffus of Porcupine Plain, SK, and their father Wade Hoffus; his son Rob Russell of Victoria, BC and his children Jason (Sarah) Noble of Windsor, ON, Drew Noble (Andrea Leyland) of Victoria, BC; his great-grandchildren Sara Walker, Erika Howlett, Lily Howlett, Eli Leyland, Jace Cennon, Gage Balone, Parker Walker, Hattie Noble, Tate Walker, Breyer Hoffus and Declan Noble.  Alfred was pre-deceased by his wife of 35 years, Beth Russell and his daughter Kathy.  A Celebration of Alf’s Life will be held from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 18, 2017 at the East Hill Community Hall, 290 – 23rd Street East, Prince Albert, SK.  In lieu of other tributes, the family respectfully requests that donations can be made to the Victoria Hospital Foundation, 1200 – 24th Street West, Prince Albert, SK S6V 5T4.  Condolences may be sent to the family at www.grays.ca  Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Gray’s Funeral Chapel, (306) 922-4729.

 

• Date : 2017-01-13
• Location : Prince Albert, SK