Obituary of Russell Elmer BROWN
Russell Elmer Brown
1951 – 2019
On December 11th, Russ passed away peacefully at home with his family at his side after his courageous battle with brain cancer. He is survived by his wife, Joyce, daughter Erin Skillen and son Tyler Brown, his grandchildren Kaeden and Brielle Skillen, all of Victoria BC, as well as his mother, Sylvia Brown, siblings Marlaine Sitch, Brian Brown and Mariellen Cornelius, and several aunts, uncles and cousins.
Born in Rossburn, MB on June 30th, 1951, Russ and his family moved to Atikokan, ON for 8 years before returning to the family farm in Rossburn. Russ graduated from the teaching program at Brandon University. He and Joyce married in 1975 and moved to Churchill, MB for a year-long northern adventure. Upon their return to Brandon, Russ began working at Behlen Industries and he and Joyce started their own family.
Through the years together, camping was an annual family tradition including local adventures and road trips across Canada and the US. He loved organizing detailed itineraries for each holiday. Despite the « are we there yet » moments, many great memories were created during these trips. During the school year he attended many a hockey game and dance recital as the kids got older, enjoying one of those activities significantly more than the other.
Russ always loved hockey, baseball and curling but golf was his lifelong passion. Gardening and mowing the lawn were relaxing hobbies. He stayed busy woodworking and building furniture, toys, sheds and playhouses. If Russ built it you were guaranteed it was solid, heavy and built to last.
In 2006, the call of year-round golfing became so strong that Russ went into semi-retirement and he and Joyce fulfilled their dream of living in Victoria. Russ worked early morning shifts at London Drugs and – depending on the time of year – spent the rest of each day on the golf course, curling, exploring, taking long walks, hiking and gardening.
When his two grandkids came along, he loved to build things for them, including their cherished toybox. He taught them how to skate like a Manitoban and he and Joyce loved taking them to explore the city. Russ loved spending time on the golf courses and the beach in Parksville, including an annual family trip that always included flying kites, building sandcastles, hiking and eating ice cream.
Russ was known as a strong, silent type with an infectious smile and dry sense of humor. While he may not have always expressed his feelings with words, he showed his love through his actions and helping others. He loved spending time with our family and was known for his famous pancake and waffle brunches. Honoring his wishes, there will not be a service. Instead, keep his memory alive by enjoying time with the special people in your life and pursuing your passions.
In lieu of flowers please consider making a donation to Victoria Hospice or Kids Sport Canada, by clicking « donations » in the left menu.
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Russell
Elmer
BROWN 1951 2019..
earths option cremation and burial services
Décès pour la Ville: Victoria, Province: Colombie britanique