1954 2010
KEN RUSSELL September 18, 1934 - December 1, 2010 Loving husband and father, respected farmer, master joke teller. Ken Russell died peacefully on Monday, December 1, 2010 with his family at his side. Ken lived a life worth living and will be deeply missed by family and friends. A memorial service will be held on Wednesday (December 8th) at the Central United Church (131 Main Street, Unionville) at 1:30 p.m. As an expression of sympathy donations may be made to Prostate Cancer Canada (www.prostatecancer.ca) or the Southlake Foundation (www.southlakefoundation.ca
COMMENTS
Nostalgia overwhelmed me when I saw the picture of Ken Russell in the G&M obituaries on Dec. 4, 10. It was a picture of our classmate Ken in 1954, same arched eyebrows and smile. This time he was bragging about a fish. In 1954, he might have been planning a prank or skating on the edges of his shoes down the halls of Johnson Hall. Ken was a zany character. I cherished his friendship then and I cherish his memory now, regretting that we will never have a chance to reminisce together.
I have no idea why he and I became friends. Memories stream back. I recall hiding a case of beer under his mother’s front porch in Unionville, don’t know why. And sleeping on a deck chair on the porch of his family’s cottage, I think in Halliburton. We went on ski weekends without skies. He came home for Sunday dinner, totally hung-over and fell asleep at the table. He farted, my mother ignored it, my father said ‘certainly’ with a grin.
A Degree may not have altered Ken’s lifestyle. He was the beneficiary of many acres of corn land near Unionville. One can imagine that zaniness was the touchstone of his lifestyle for the ensuing 55 years. The brevity of his obituary may suggest that his eccentricities may have worn thin or he just preferred simple. Nevertheless, we share the loss with his wife and children. Although we never met again, Ken Russell was an unforgettable character in my life’s journey.
Does anyone have more Ken Russell stories?
Bill Stevens
Bill, Thank you for sharing what really is a heart felt eulogy of Ken Russell's 2 years time at OAC.
I do remember that Ken enjoyed watching OAC hockey games, in our first 2 years. One night, I got lucky and made a couple of moves on a goal. The next morning, before a class, Ken came up and said "that was about the nicest goal I have ever seen." Why can you remember things like that from 55 years ago? Ken was a people person.
Stu O'Neil
Bill and classmates
I remember Ken flying down the hall on the edge of his shoes. It looked like so much fun that I tried it one day, when the floor had a fresh coat of wax. My body couldn't keep up with my feet, and my rear end bounced three times in the wax.
I had a visit with him on the farm, at Unionville, and the last time we met was at the Col Sam Mclauhglan bonspiel in Oshawa. There was a big disaster in Unionville that morning, because Andy Grants cottage, where the boys made wine, had burned down.
Merry Christmas
Mac.
Bill
After Andy MacKenzie, our first secretary of year 58, dropped out at Christmastime, I lost my room mate. He was replaced by a fellow by the name of Ken....???...who was the son of a wealthy beef farmer in Unionville. Once, in a genetics lab, must have been 2nd year, he drank the Drosophila cocktail in a bet for $50. I think he dropped out after 2nd year. Do you remember his last name?
Gord Witteveen
I remember a special Passion of Ken Russel, that was his love for jazz.
After the concerts, he would drop in to my room to tell me about it.
You could hear him coming down the hall singing ,humming or whistling,the music from
the Star he had heard. He only went to hear the best. (Dave Brubeck etc.)
Ken brought happiness first.
Gerry Bayley
Bill:
I really appreciated reading your warm comments about Ken Russell. Sure brought back a lot of memories. Your word "zany" was well chosen. Who can forget the time Ken won a bet by drinking the Morgue from our Genetics lab...you remember the supply of deceased Drosophylla in a flask containing glycerol I think. He claimed no ill effects, other than spending the better part of a weekend sitting on the can counting his winnings.
Ian White was lavish in his praise of Ken, who managed to find the hiding place (the pond) for all the missing Johnson Hall toilet seats. Ken dutifully reported his find to Ian and was publically thanked in the next issue of the Ontarion. Strangely, there was no mention made re catching the original thieves.
These are just two, of many stories that could be related about a delightful character from our past. Just to know him was to like him. Thanks again for your comments.
Stan Leuty
Labels: Memories, Russell
1954 2010
KEN RUSSELL September 18, 1934 - December 1, 2010 Loving husband and father, respected farmer, master joke teller. Ken Russell died peacefully on Monday, December 1, 2010 with his family at his side. Ken lived a life worth living and will be deeply missed by family and friends. A memorial service will be held on Wednesday (December 8th) at the Central United Church (131 Main Street, Unionville) at 1:30 p.m. As an expression of sympathy donations may be made to Prostate Cancer Canada (www.prostatecancer.ca) or the Southlake Foundation (www.southlakefoundation.ca
COMMENTS
Nostalgia overwhelmed me when I saw the picture of Ken Russell in the G&M obituaries on Dec. 4, 10. It was a picture of our classmate Ken in 1954, same arched eyebrows and smile. This time he was bragging about a fish. In 1954, he might have been planning a prank or skating on the edges of his shoes down the halls of Johnson Hall. Ken was a zany character. I cherished his friendship then and I cherish his memory now, regretting that we will never have a chance to reminisce together.
I have no idea why he and I became friends. Memories stream back. I recall hiding a case of beer under his mother’s front porch in Unionville, don’t know why. And sleeping on a deck chair on the porch of his family’s cottage, I think in Halliburton. We went on ski weekends without skies. He came home for Sunday dinner, totally hung-over and fell asleep at the table. He farted, my mother ignored it, my father said ‘certainly’ with a grin.
A Degree may not have altered Ken’s lifestyle. He was the beneficiary of many acres of corn land near Unionville. One can imagine that zaniness was the touchstone of his lifestyle for the ensuing 55 years. The brevity of his obituary may suggest that his eccentricities may have worn thin or he just preferred simple. Nevertheless, we share the loss with his wife and children. Although we never met again, Ken Russell was an unforgettable character in my life’s journey.
Does anyone have more Ken Russell stories?
Bill Stevens
Bill, Thank you for sharing what really is a heart felt eulogy of Ken Russell's 2 years time at OAC.
I do remember that Ken enjoyed watching OAC hockey games, in our first 2 years. One night, I got lucky and made a couple of moves on a goal. The next morning, before a class, Ken came up and said "that was about the nicest goal I have ever seen." Why can you remember things like that from 55 years ago? Ken was a people person.
Stu O'Neil
Bill and classmates
I remember Ken flying down the hall on the edge of his shoes. It looked like so much fun that I tried it one day, when the floor had a fresh coat of wax. My body couldn't keep up with my feet, and my rear end bounced three times in the wax.
I had a visit with him on the farm, at Unionville, and the last time we met was at the Col Sam Mclauhglan bonspiel in Oshawa. There was a big disaster in Unionville that morning, because Andy Grants cottage, where the boys made wine, had burned down.
Merry Christmas
Mac.
Bill
After Andy MacKenzie, our first secretary of year 58, dropped out at Christmastime, I lost my room mate. He was replaced by a fellow by the name of Ken....???...who was the son of a wealthy beef farmer in Unionville. Once, in a genetics lab, must have been 2nd year, he drank the Drosophila cocktail in a bet for $50. I think he dropped out after 2nd year. Do you remember his last name?
Gord Witteveen
I remember a special Passion of Ken Russel, that was his love for jazz.
After the concerts, he would drop in to my room to tell me about it.
You could hear him coming down the hall singing ,humming or whistling,the music from
the Star he had heard. He only went to hear the best. (Dave Brubeck etc.)
Ken brought happiness first.
Gerry Bayley
Bill:
I really appreciated reading your warm comments about Ken Russell. Sure brought back a lot of memories. Your word "zany" was well chosen. Who can forget the time Ken won a bet by drinking the Morgue from our Genetics lab...you remember the supply of deceased Drosophylla in a flask containing glycerol I think. He claimed no ill effects, other than spending the better part of a weekend sitting on the can counting his winnings.
Ian White was lavish in his praise of Ken, who managed to find the hiding place (the pond) for all the missing Johnson Hall toilet seats. Ken dutifully reported his find to Ian and was publically thanked in the next issue of the Ontarion. Strangely, there was no mention made re catching the original thieves.
These are just two, of many stories that could be related about a delightful character from our past. Just to know him was to like him. Thanks again for your comments.
Stan Leuty