Tony Russell

Anthony (Tony) Russell died peacefully on Sunday morning at the Golden Eagle View Nursing Home in Canmore, Alberta. Tony was

99 years old and passed away just 3 months before his 100th birthday.

Tony was born in 1922 in a family of eight children in Glasgow, Scotland to parents of Lithuanian descent. Despite growing up in a large family in the "mean streets" of East Glasgow during the Depression, Tony became a talented student and was offered a scholarship at St. Mungo's Academy. A gifted singer and instrumentalist, he played the harmonica and penny-whistle flute. He was very physically strong as a youth; he and his brothers helping his father deliver coal by horse and cart. A skilled athlete, Tony swam in the River Clyde with his friends and belonged to many cycling clubs which travelled throughout Scotland on weekends.

War broke out in 1939 and, as soon as he turned 18, Tony enlisted in the army, eventually serving with the Scots Guards, the Gordon Highlanders and the Argyle and Sutherland Highlanders. He was taken prisoner in Anzio, Italy in 1943 and spent the next 18 months as a P.O.W. in a camp in Dessau, Germany, where he was forced to labour in a Junkers wagon works plant. In 1944, Tony escaped with his life from the Nazi P.O.W. camp. Out of 130 P.O.W.'s, Tony was one of only seven survivors. Within six weeks of his escape, Tony was returned to duty, serving in Africa, Italy, and Germany, prior to his discharge in 1947.

Upon returning to Glasgow, Tony met the love of his life, a beautiful young conductress, Mary Blackwood, who worked on the Glasgow Tram System. They were married in 1948 and celebrated their 71st anniversary on Jan. 23, 2019. Sadly, Mary passed away on Nov. 30, 2019. Following the war, Tony continued his singing and was awarded a recording contract with Decca Records. He also held several positions: as a builder in the Glasgow Shipyards, a travelling service worker with English Electric, and a maintenance worker with the Cambuslang Power Station. Tony and Mary immigrated to Canada in 1963, settling in Canmore with their four children. In Canada, Tony worked for Borger Construction, the National Parks Service in Lake Louise, Canmore Mines, and as a painter for both the Banff School of Fine Arts (Banff Centre) and the National Parks Service in Banff. In 1977, he retired as the steam room attendant at the Banff Upper Hot Springs Pool.

Tony contributed a great deal to the fabric of the Canmore community. He was secretary-treasurer of the Canmore Legion and, along with other members of the executive, he arranged for sponsorships to be given to various local organizations such as hockey and soccer teams. He was most proud that, under his leadership, the mortgage of the RCL Branch #3 was paid off completely. For this and his other service activities, Tony was awarded a Lifetime Membership. A devout Catholic, Tony volunteered for his parish in many capacities including singing in the choir. He also painted the exterior of the Canmore Sacred Heart Catholic Church and varnished all the wooden pews.

Tony was well-known for his sense of humour, his pride in his Scottish heritage and his love of family. He was a huge fan of both Canadian and Scottish (Celtic) football, and he was famous for his indoor Christmas displays. Tony was a life-long learner who read about many topics including religion and politics. He was a great conversationalist who will be dearly missed by his many friends.

Tony was predeceased by his wife, Mary; his parents, Catherine and Joseph; his siblings Annie, Antoinette, Cathy, Joseph, Alec, Edward, and Johnny; and his son-in-law Charles (Butch) Whelan. Tony is survived by his children, Maureen (Butch), Anthony (Marilynn), Ann (Pat), and Ed (Mary). He is also survived by his grandchildren: Paul K., Brent, Reece, Clinton, Kyle, Caitlin, Carly, Paul B., Elaine, and Mark. Tony also leaves behind many great-grandchildren, nephews and nieces and his surviving in-laws, Hannah McGleish, Ian Blackwood, Teresa Smith and Margot Smith.

The family would like to thank everyone at the Bow River Seniors' Lodge and the Golden Eagle View Nursing Home for providing excellent care and support to both Tony and his family. The family would like to especially thank the staff of the Golden Eagle for extending such a caring environment to Tony in the latter days of his life. We would like to thank Catherine McAllister, his caregiver, for the friendship and support she gave to Tony and our family. Much gratitude is extended to Dr. Kirk, Tony's physician, for his outstanding care and guidance.

In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made to the Golden Eagle View Nursing Home, 1100 Hospital Place, Canmore T1W 1N2.

Services provided by Russ Reynolds and Bow River Funeral Service.