BRUCE GORDON RUSSELL

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BRUCE GORDON RUSSELL March 30, 1959 - April 3, 2001 It is with extreme sadness that we announce the passing of Bruce on Tuesday, April 3, 2001. He departed peacefully surrounded by the love of his family after a seven month battle with cancer. He leaves to mourn his untimely passing and to forever treasure his memory, his wife and soul mate Liza and precious children, Vanessa, 9, Alanna, 5 and his adult children, Jason from Seattle and Brandi from Saskatoon and two grandchildren, Tyller and Kaitlee. He will be lovingly remembered by his parents, Ray and Carol Russell; brother Graham Logan; grandmother Elizabeth Mellor; godparents, aunt Heather and Uncle Ray Lovegrove and many other aunts and uncles. He will be fondly remembered by his mother-in-law Lidia Kiziuk; sister-in-law and brother-in-law Olga and Werner Saxler and sister-in-law and brother-in-law Margaret and Morris Ostrowsky, brother-in-law Peter Kiziuk and nieces Andrea Saxler, Larissa Ostrowsky; nephew and godson Adam Saxler and a multitude of good friends and co-workers at The North West Company, where he was employed since 1987, as a Senior Software Designer. It was a shock to all when Bruce was diagnosed with cancer in August, 2000. He fought his cancer courageously and with the utmost positive attitude. During his illness, he remained dedicated to coaching the Waverley Heights basketball team, on which his daughter Vanessa played. He took great pride in seeing her shoot baskets. It was also nice that when he could no longer work, he stayed home with Alanna and enjoyed some special individual time with her. Bruce was raised in St. James, Winnipeg and attended Birchwood and Golden Gate schools and St. Pauls High School. He continued his studies at the University of North Dakota. He met his best friend and partner Liza in 1983 and they married in 1988. They have been inseparable since, sharing each others lives and enjoying many common interests, such as travel, and attending Sunfest and the Classic Rock Festival. Bruce also enjoyed making home-made wine and entertaining friends with many back-yard BBQs. Bruces backyard became a haven; he became an avid gardener and grew beautiful roses, lilies and clematis. He loved watching the geese and ducks on the lake in their backyard. He played basketball with the Manitoba Mens League for the past twenty years and loved going to the annual tournament in Grand Forks. For their 10th wedding anniversary, Bruce and Liza purchased a tent trailer and they treasured their summer camping trips with the children. Bruce was a devoted father, encouraging his children in everything they undertook to do. Wherever Bruce went, his gentle manner and patience, smile, sense of humor and winning personality earned him many close friends throughout his life. Bruce touched many peoples lives and to know him was to love him. Deepest thanks to all of the medical staff at St. Boniface Hospital who were involved in Bruces care. Each one of you made us feel special during this difficult time in our lives. Thank-you to our co-workers and friends at The North West Company and to the Child Life Department, for all of their compassion, kindness and emotional support. Special thanks to the Child Protection Centre. The greatest gift you gave Bruce was allowing his wife to be at home with him. Thanks as well to all of our friends and family and the basketball team parents, for their gestures of kindness. Prayers will be held on Friday, April 6, at 7:00 p.m. at Cropo Funeral Chapel, 1442 Main St. Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, April 7, at 11:00 a.m. also at the Chapel, with Very Rev. Fr. John Melnyk officiating, with a reception following the service. Bruce will be laid to rest eternally at Rosa Cemetery, next to Lizas father and nephew. Pallbearers will be his two brothers-in-law, Morris Ostrowsky, Werner Saxler and friends, Joe Pikel, Bruce Tervoort, Pasquale Pescatore, and Wes Anderson. Honorary pallbearers will be the children that Bruce coached from the Waverley Heights No. II Basketball Team and his teammates "The Pounders". Flowers gratefully declined but donations may be made to an educational fund for Vanessa and Alanna, at Carpathia Credit Union, 950 Main St. Winnipeg, MB. CROPO FUNERAL CHAPEL in care of arrangements, 586-8044.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Apr 06, 2001