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RUSSELL INNIS MONTGOMERY  Obituary pic

RUSSELL INNIS MONTGOMERY

Born: Feb 07, 1919

Date of Passing: Jun 03, 2005

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RUSSELL INNIS MONTGOMERY February 7, 1919 - June 3, 2005 It is with deepest sadness, we announce the passing of our dear friend and Uncle, Russ or Monty to many. After a brief illness he passed on at the age of 86 at the Riverview Health Centre. Russ was the son of the late Thomas and Catherine Montgomery and the last of the Montgomery family. He was predeceased by his sisters, Suzie Chandonet, Jean Cox and Kathleen MacKay; his brother William and a nephew Tommy MacKay and Lew Cox, all of Kenora, ON. Russ is survived by his nieces, Arlene Schultz of Tigerton, WI, Shirley Blair of Kelowna, BC, and Pat Cederwall; and his nephew Jimmy MacKay of Kenora. He also has many great-nieces and nephews, Linda, Kathy, Danny, David and Dale of Wisconsin; Scott, Kathy and Karen of British Columbia; and Kirk, Kim and Wade of Cederwall and David MacKay of Ontario; and as a great-great-uncle to Sara and Michael, Nicholas and Danielle, Bethany and Andrew all from Wisconsin; Hayden MacKay, Jayson and Michael Morrison of Kenora. Russell's extended family, Maurice, Sonia, and Peter Ircha made his retirement years so enjoyable in Winnipeg. Russell received his education in Kenora. He worked for the Ministery of Lands and Forests and then at the Fish Hatchery. In 1942 Russ enlisted in the Canadian Army and served overseas for four years. Upon receiving his discharge in 1946, he worked for the Kenricia Hotel. In 1953 Russ joined the building firm of Lindstrom and Nilson Ltd. as manager of the paint and wall-covering department. Upon 25 years of service Russ was presented with an air ticket to the British Isles where he was able to roam the green hills of Scotland where he served his country. After 31 successful years, Russ retired in 1984 with a warm outpouring of gratitude from the community. He then moved to Winnipeg. Russell's other favourite past-times were gardening and sharing his produce. He loved and cared for his dogs especially his recent Pug, Penny No. 4. Russ' excellent baking and cooking made a hit at any get together. He was a wonderful story teller and jokster. He was an avid reader and often had three to four novels on the go. He traveled extensively across the country he loved - Canada, as well as the U.S.A. Uncle Russ will be remembered for his life's interests, especially his passion for music which became strongly engrained in his character at an early age; selling tickets at the dance hall where his sisters attended so he could hear the most recent dance tunes and big bands. He played lead roles in high school musicals and church plays. Throughout his years he took every opportunity to pursue his love of music and was happiest when he'd sing his favourite Danny Boy . Following his musical heart to Winnipeg upon retirement, Uncle Russ became a member of the Senior Citizen Choir of Winnipeg. Over the ten years Russ enjoyed many trips to several Western cities to join other choirs in concerts as well as sing in many places around Manitoba and Winnipeg. Russ especially enjoyed the duets he and the late Vera Obe performed at the Winnipeg Concert Hall and on CKND Televised Christmas Shows. Virtues are sacred qualities of the human spirit. It is the innate capacity and inner power of positive traits of good citizenship, life skills, and universal principles that Russ believed in. Russ was a man of good character that didn't have to practice 350 plus inner spiritual muscles that came natural for him. These virtues are recognized by all cultures and traditions as fundamental qualities necessary for human well-being and happiness. Plato described virtues as a kind of health, beauty, and habit of the soul while Einstein said Only morality in action gives beauty and dignity to life. We fell that Uncle Russell was born with these qualities and they came natural to him as he interacted with people and the environment. He did everything to the best of his ability and had the inner strength to do the right thing at the right time for the right reasons. Each person has a choice whether to actively develop the virtues within them or to cast them aside. Uncle Russ had these innate positive relationships. He didn't make a deliberate effort to develop each virtue within himself. Russ had knowledge of what is right and the desire to do what is right with everyone he met. Through his belief in God, Russ succeeded in each virtue. To each and everyone, Russ was exceptionally caring, considerate, cooperative, courteous, generous, helpful, loyal and friendly (thus each person he met soon became his friend). It was natural for him to be compassionate and empathic to everyone. He always thought of others before himself. He loved life, his friends and his family more than anything. Russ always had a big smile that would instantly cheer everyone in a room. He had courage and determination, patience and perseverance, and dignity which he showed to the end. He was at peace and was ready to meet his Maker. Above all Russ left this world with dignity and grace, and our love. In lieu of flowers, if friends so desire, please make a contribution in his name to the Winnipeg Humane Society, 5 Kent St., Winnipeg, MB R2L 1X3 or Cancer Care Manitoba, 675 McDermot Ave., Winnipeg, MB R3E 0V9. Cremation has taken place and a celebration of Russ' life will be held at Korban Funeral Chapel, 907 Main St., on Wednesday, June 8 at 4:30 p.m. A memorial service for his friends and family in Kenora will be held on Friday, June 10 at 3:00 p.m. at The First Presbyterian Church of Kenora and Russ' cremains will be interred following the service in the family plot at the Lake of the Woods Cemetery, in Kenora. KORBAN FUNERAL CHAPEL 956-2193

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As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jun 05, 2005

Condolences & Memories (1 entries)

  • Dear Maurice and family, My deepest sympathy to you and your family, and may the fond memories you shared with your uncle, bring some comfort and peace, knowing he is in God's care. - Posted by: Marcella Turnbull (Friend) on: Jun 12, 2005

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