(June 24, 1938 - September 9, 2023)
Russell Searle of Wasaga Beach passed away peacefully while in palliative care at Campbell House, Collingwood on September 9, 2023 after a brief battle with cancer.
He leaves to cherish his memory, Doris (nee Christianson) his high school sweetheart, best friend and much-loved wife for 65 years; his daughter Ashley and her husband Bruce Jensen and grandchildren Troy and Sarah; his son Erik and his wife Mina Watanabe and grandchildren Christine and Adam; his brother Doug Searle (Lisa); along with other family members and many good friends.
Son of the late LaVerne and Margaret Searle, Russ was born in Turtleford, Saskatchewan. They, along with his recently deceased brother, Jim Searle (Helen), soon relocated to the northern Manitoba mining town of Flin Flon. That northern outdoor lifestyle formed Russ and remained with him over the years.
After graduating from the University of Manitoba, Russ taught high school in Winnipeg and Rivers, Manitoba, as well as Deux-Montagnes, Quebec. After a period of travel abroad, he embarked upon a fulfilling career with The National Film Board. He proudly represented Canada through educational and travel films from offices in Montreal, Chicago, Toronto and Hamilton. After retirement in the 1990’s, he and Doris ventured north from Oakville to settle first in Collingwood and then in Wasaga Beach.
Russ was a warm-hearted gentleman, overtly friendly and consistently put everyone at ease. He was remarkable at remembering names and details of those he met and was eager to learn from his new next friend. He will be remembered as witty, good-natured and a bonafide ‘repurposer’. His northern youth had guided him to love nature and not be wasteful. Russell will be sadly missed by family, friends and neighbours alike.
A visitation will be held on Saturday, September 16th from 11am-2pm at Carruthers & Davidson Funeral Home, 509 River Road West, Wasaga Beach, Ontario.
Entombment will be at Glen Oaks Memorial Gardens, 3164 Ninth Line, Oakville, Ontario at a later date with details to follow.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Russell’s memory to Doctors Without Borders, Princess Margaret Hospital or a charity of your choice.
To sign his Book of Memories, please visit www.carruthersdavidson.com