RUSSELL BRUCE EATON

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RUSSELL BRUCE EATON It is with great sadness that the family of Russell announces his sudden but peaceful passing on Thursday, February 17, 2011 at the age of 83. He was residing with his wife Frances at the Tuxedo Villa personal care home. Dad was born in Winnipeg on April 22, 1927 and lived most of his life in the River Heights area. But his true home was his beloved cottage at Ponemah Beach on the shores of Lake Winnipeg, where he faithfully and joyfully spent every summer for the past 60 years. Dad's love of the cottage has built a strong foundation that will be ours to hold and treasure and pass on for many generations to come and his presence will always be felt there. Dad attended Sir John Franklin, Robert H. Smith and Kelvin schools. As a young man he always had a part-time job, enjoyed being a navy cadet and loved to downhill ski and even ski jump at the Puffin Ski Club Dad met his life long partner Frances (Irvine) and they were married on June 12, 1948. Together they raised three children- Susan, Cathy and Robert. After school Dad was in the Naval Reserve on the west coast. He returned to Winnipeg to work in his father-in-law's businesses - John Irvine and Sons and Mac Tools. He then bought his own company, National Vending operating photo booths until he retired in 2003. Dad loved to involve himself in all kinds of activities. He loved working on various political campaigns. He was a long time member of Christ Church Anglican. He also served for many years in the Royal Canadian Naval Reserve at H.M.C.S. Chippawa. Dad was most proud of his many years of membership in the Masonic Lodge - Beaver Ionic #25 and Acacia #111, the Scottish Rite and the Khartum Temple Shrine. He was a member of the Khartum Temple Vintage Car unit and was the proud owner of a 53 Ford which he loved to drive in the parades. One of Dad's most special accomplishments was finding his birth brother Wallace Barclay in 2004 and at the age of 77 he flew to Vancouver to meet his brother aged 75, for the first time. Dad leaves to cherish his memory his wife of 63 years Frances, his three children, Susan (Ron) Brown, Cathy (Tim) Kelly, Robert (Rose) Eaton, and five grandchildren, Robert, Matthew, Jessica (Shawn), Keala, and Desiree, sisters-in-law Vaughn (Curt) Pridmore, Gladys Smith, nieces and nephews, cousins, his special cousin Audrey (Steve) Harris and many friends. A service of Celebration of Life and Love was held on Wednesday, February 23 at St. James Anglican Church. Donations may be made to the Khartum Temple Shrine Patient Transportation Fund 1155 Wilkes Avenue, Winnipeg, MB, R3P 1B9. Dad we will miss you but we will treasure our memories and honor the legacy you left to us - to live with kindness and compassion for all, to live with honesty and integrity in all we do, to live with an unwavering faith in finding the goodness in life, and always always strive to find the humor in all we encounter. Dad you will always be an anchor, shield, and champion to those of us who have been fortunate enough to call you son, husband, father, brother, grandfather and friend.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Feb 26, 2011