JOHN RUSSELL ANDERSON

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JOHN RUSSELL ANDERSON John Russell Anderson of Princess Harbour, MB passed away accidentally July 3, 2004. He was born April 5, 1975. He attended the one room Dolly Magnusson School completing Grade IX in 1988. At an early age it soon became apparent that this young man was a "people person". With his wonderful smile and outgoing personality he made friends wherever he went. His favourite summer job was "loggin-in" the pleasure yachts which tied up at the dock every summer. He would keep a watch toward West Doghead and the moment he saw a yacht on the horizon he was on his way to the dock, log-book in hand. When he reached the age of ten he began attending the Native Ministries Summer Camp. He really enjoyed the experience and once he was too old to be a camper he became a counsellor. He enjoyed his work with the young campers. Once he entered the work force he would take a weeks holiday to attend the camp. After completing Grade IX at Princess Harbour he enrolled at St. Johns Ravenscourt School in Winnipeg, graduating from Grade XII in 1991. John was not certain which career path he should follow. His love of airplanes led to the Winnipeg Flying Club where he obtained his private pilots licence. With the lay-off of many experienced Air Canada pilots he decided that the job market for young pilots would be very limited. He headed north to Berens River where he worked with Georgina and Jack Clarkson at the North Country Lodge. While in Berens River he met Edward Kemps. During the winter he worked in the bush with Ed Kemps Loggers. Edward became Johns "other brother" and a lifelong friend. He spent a summer on the MS Mukatawa working with Captain Mike Potoski hauling freight to Berens River and Poplar River. At the end of the open water season John decided to enroll in the Reimers Driver Training Program to obtain his Class 1 licence. His first trucking experience was with Reimers. Later he drove for Harold Olafsons Trucking. Not quite sure this was his niche he joined Captain David Stephenson and Engineer Ron Spring as a deck hand on the MS Edgar Woods Ferry which sailed from Island View to Bloodvein and Princess Harbour. That winter he hired-on with Riverton Transport hauling freight. In the space of two weeks he managed to hit a moose and a deer. He did mention that he was more successful hunting with the truck than with his rifle. The mechanic wasnt too impressed! After a second season on the MS Edgar Woods he decided that commercial trucking really was what he wanted to do. He drove for TCT, Atlas Cold Storage and, at the time of his death was driving for Payne Transport working with Pandher Transport. His routes took him through Canada and the US. John had the unique ability of making an extended family wherever he went. He often referred to one of his dispatchers at Payne Transport "Mother Kathy with a touch of Roseanne on a bad day!". Then he would chuckle. His fellow truckers were his "buddies". He called home daily to let us know his whereabouts and his destination. If there were any problems or frustrations we heard about them as well. Well miss his cheery "Hi-Ho! Hows it going?" John was a very special person who gave his love and his time to the people he cared about. His family was very important to him. He always made a special effort to be there in the good times, the bad times, the glad times and the sad times. John never liked or used the word "good-bye" - just a hug and "See Ya"! So we wont say "good-bye" John. Just "See-Ya, Bud!" John is survived by his parents, Brenda and Ed; brother James of Vancouver, BC; many close relatives and friends. He was predeceased by his grandparents, Gwen and Frank Malyon of Glenboro and Cara and Olaf Anderson of Princess Harbour. Following cremation, a memorial service for John was held July 8 in the Riverton Recreation Centre. A donation in Johns memory may be made to the Canadian Diabetes Association, #102-310 Broadway, Winnipeg, MB R3C 0S6, or to a charity of choice. BARDAL FUNERAL HOME & CREMATORIUM 843 Sherbrook Street, 774-7474 Condolences: www.bardalfuneralhome.com

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jul 17, 2004