It is with deep sadness we announce the peaceful passing of our father Russell Warren Lavery on Friday, Oct. 16, 2020 at the age of 91 years old.

He was preceded by his loving wife Lucy in 1992 and is survived by his seven children, Sharon/Ed Reczek, Warren/Heather, Karen/Jack Turk, Aileen/Fiesel Khan, Dawn/Mike Garvie, Hal and Matthew/Arla and 12 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren.  

Kyle(Tanya),  Katelyn, Joshua, Justin(Kendra), Jessica, Jamie, Sean, Allison, Janelle, Kristen, Braeden, Connor, Norah, Nathan and one on the way.

He also leaves behind one surviving sister, Audrey Thompson as well as many nieces/nephews.

Due to Covid protocols a Celebration of Life will be arranged in 2021.

Russ was born in Winnipeg on March 25, 1929 and lived most of his life there.  He was the fifth child of Victor Louis Lavery and Louise Elizabeth Roche.  The family lost their mother at an early age to cancer and his father eventually had to put the children into adoption.  Dad along with his 2 brothers (Harv and Ron) went to Knowles School for Boys.  The girls (Connie, Vicky, Lorraine and Audrey) were placed in various homes.  After reaching the age of 16 each brother had to leave Knowles.

A couple of years after leaving Knowles, Dad entered the Army in 1947.  Following aptitude testing he was placed with the Royal Cdn Engineers and served with 23 Field Squadron ultimately being stationed in Whitehorse.  This is were he met his Lucy.  He said it was love at first sight and they were married within 3 months of meeting each other.  Following the birth of their first child he decided to muster out of the army and moved the family back to Winnipeg where the other children were born.

Family was always important to him and most weekends included not only his own family but all the aunts, uncles and cousins.  Even though it was a noisy crowd he loved having everyone near.

Dad enjoyed a long career at Dominion Bridge as a Structural Steel Draftsman.  Even though he only had a grade 9 education both the army and Dominion Bridge saw the engineering talent he had and put it to good use.  He eventually left Dominion Bridge to start up his own Drafting Consulting Office.  He taught Mom to draft and they were in business together until 1992 when Mom died at 59 of a heart attack.  He was devastated by this loss but continued with the business until he had a stroke at 75.

Dad worked hard through all the rehab and was able to live on in his home until 2015 when he moved to Lions Place Independent living and then ultimately was moved to Riverview Health Centre in 2019.  

The family would like to express their sincere appreciation to the staff of the Riverview Health Centre for the excellent care Dad received during his days with them.

 

Russell’s family kindly requests that all of his friends and relatives take a few minutes to honour his memory by sharing photos, memories, and stories using the comment section on this page.

He will be missed by all the people who loved him.  Rest in peace Dad.
 

​

ETHICAL DEATH CARE

Cremation & Life Celebrations

530 St, Mary Avenue - Winnipeg

204-421-5501 - www.ethicaldeathcare.com

​