RUSSELL JOHN WUCKERT

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RUSSELL JOHN WUCKERT - A LUCKY MAN Russ died suddenly Tuesday, January 25, 2005 - two weeks shy of his 92nd birthday. Russ lived all his life in Winnipeg. He grew up in the North End with sisters, Leone, Adele and brother Lionel. His father John (1885-1931) came from Germany as a very young child. His mother Maria Lev (1886-1979) came from Prague via Minnesota, also as a young child. Russ was very active in sports, especially fastball and later curling and golf. He was a fierce competitor, but always fair. He also was an avid spectator. Watching an event on television with Russ often could be more intense than the live experience. One of his proudest accomplishments was being the regular catcher for the outstanding local pitcher George Trick - You couldn't see Tricky's ball! Russ tended to exaggerate now and then. He was the best at Arithmetic, but the worst speller in the school. There were stories of cycling across the city after working all day, golf clubs over his shoulder. Every doctor he saw was one of the top men in the city, probably the entire country. The KFC classic had 4 times as much chicken as a large burger - there must be at least half a chicken. Russ married Alberta Kolb on July 15, 1939. They raised two children: Rowena (husband Dave) and Grant (wife Doreen). They enjoyed their four grandchildren (Brett, Craig, Scott and Lance) and two great-grandchildren (Ty and Brooke). Alberta`s upbeat personality complemented Russ' passion for life. They celebrated their 65th anniversary last year. After the Second World War, Russ established Wuckert Brothers Cabinet Makers with his brother. He worked meticulously, refusing to cut corners. No matter how small the job, it had to be done right. They were in business about 30 years, retiring in 1978. The shop they built still stands on McPhillips Street, just south of Logan Avenue. Retirement brought annual trips to Hawaii, besides the usual Kitchener/Waterloo visits to Rowena, Dave, the kids and friends. Russ and Al moved to Ft. Garry in 1954, finding comfort in the same home for 48 years on the corner of Ruttan Bay and Oakenwald. Recent friends Kristi and Sheldon helped make this possible. For the past two years Russ also loved his new home at Assiniboine Links in Charleswood. Russ was healthy all his life. He was on his way to dinner when he died. Although forgetful the last few years, he still played a good game of bridge, usually with Doreen, Grant and a friend, as Alberta looked on. Two days before he died he was frustrating his son at crib. Russ cared passionately about both big and little things: sports, Fats Waller, his job, hobbies, Coca-Cola, his house, children, grandchildren, and (above all) his wife. He loved his life. One of the last things Russ said to his daughter was that he's been a lucky man, and he's lucky that he knows he's lucky. A celebration of Russ Wuckert's life will be held from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m., Wednesday February 2, at West Park Manor Personal Care Home, 2nd floor, 3199 Grant Ave. For information call Grant at 837-9613.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 29, 2005