Lawrence Russell
July 16, 1935 – March 02, 2021
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Lawrence Frederick Russell on Tuesday March 2nd, 2021 at the age of 85.
Lawrence was born July 16th, 1935 in Golden Bay (Beausejour), Manitoba. He attended school at Golden Bay and Buchan. Lawrence began his career as a machinist apprentice at CNR wheel shop in Transcona, Manitoba. Then in August 1964, Lawrence moved his family to Dryden, Ontario to take over his parents’ dairy farm. He began 20 years of Employment at the Dryden Pulp and Paper Mill, as a machinist, in October 1964. Lawrence served on a variety of agricultural committees, and was a board member of the Dryden agricultural society.
Lawrence’s great love of music, and a natural gift of being able to play by ear, had him playing the accordion at a young age. He went on to play in many bands. Starting with the “Johnny and Katie Kruk Band” in Manitoba. Over the years Lawrence taught himself to play the guitar, banjo, piano, mandolin, violin and harmonica. He has played with numerous musicians over the years. Loving good “old time” tunes. Some of those he played with were “Grammas and Grandpas”, which consisted of Lawrence, Harold Singbeil, Anne Vercruysse, Ken and Jeanette Denby. He also played mandolin for the Country gospel group “Outreach”, consisting of Lawrence, Glenn Scheibler, Lorraine Malyk, Tom Stratton, Anne Vercruysee, Ken and Jeanette Denby and Karen Bevilacqua. He was very proud to be on a recording with this last group, singing an old Hank Williams tune “I Saw the Light”, and playing mandolin on other songs. Lawrence was also part of the Sunset Country Christmas Treasure CD, providing mandolin tunes and singing “Christmas Times a Comin”. Most recently playing with the “Toe Tappers” at many gatherings, nursing homes and functions in the Dryden area. He especially loved his jam sessions that often included Ken and Jeanette Denby, Judy McEwen, Ken Charles, Norm Voss and a variety of others.
Lawrence will be missed and lovingly remembered by his children, their mother Gerti Russell, his grandchildren and great grandchildren, Douglas and Monica Russell, and their children Ashley and Michael Moore (Olivia), Victoria Russell; Donna and Joe Pobihushchy, and their children Michelle Pobihushchy and Nick Kramm (Aria, Denver), Laura and Ian Johanson (Nova, Ronson), Brandan Pobihushchy; Keith Russell and his children Tanner Russell, Randy Russell, Carly Russell; Cory Russell and Monique Ledoux, and their son Josh, one aunt, Ann Schlecht, his nieces and nephew, cousins and special friend Olga Woitowicz. Lawrence was predeceased by his parents Fred and Elsie Russell, his brother Henry Russell and sister-in-law Lila, his sister Doreen Kawka and brother-in-law Mike, and beloved friend Georgina Richardson.
Should friends desire, donations may be made to Heart and Stroke Foundation through Stevens Funeral Homes, P.O. Box 412, Dryden P8N 2Z1. Condolences may be posted on Stevens Funeral Homes Facebook page or at www.stevensfuneralhomes.ca.
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Lawrence Russell July 16 1935 March 02 2021..
Death notice for the town of: Dryden, Province: Ontario