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Russell Tetreault

March 2, 2006

After a history of heart disease, Russell passed away peacefully in Quesnel, BC on Thursday, March 2, 2006 in his 81st year.

He leaves to mourn his wife/partner Jean, his children and their spouses, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Russell and Jean were reunited after many years of separation. They were brought together as a result of his illness and compassion. He spent the last years of his life with Jean, his daughter Nancy and granddaughter Francélia. Russell also lived for 14 years with his youngest son Glenn in Taylor, BC. In addition, he spent many months convalescing with his youngest daughter Debra’s family in Maple Ridge before moving back to Quesnel, BC. You might say that Russell brought his children up to respect family unity and loyalty. Russell often took his family on outings such as swimming and picnics at Trousers Lake and at his sister-in-law’s, drive-in movies at Derby Port, Vermont and long rides in the country.

He is survived by his youngest and only living brother, Paul and nieces and nephews living in Ontario and Québec. He was also the brother of the late Maurice, Doris, and Lionel.

Russell was born February 27th, 1926 in his grandfather’s house on Abbott Street in Magog, Québec. He suffered from asthma as a child and proudly admits to being allowed to smoke as a child because of its healing properties for his asthma. He went to grade seven in school. He worked in the bush and for many years at the Dominion Textile in Magog. He worked in Oshawa, Ontario in the automotive industry.

The residents of Austin, Québec will fondly remember Russell for his twenty-six years of service delivering the mail in the rural areas. Mail was not all he delivered, often times it was medicines and even groceries to the elderly. He could always be counted on to taxi someone to Magog - the neighbouring town - especially the Benedictine Monks. While out on his mail-run, it was not unusual to see Russell helping a fellow motorist in trouble no matter the weather or circumstances. Russell also did odd jobs and caretaker work for the cottagers along Lake Memphremagog, in the Eastern Townships.

Russell loved to hunt and fish and he passed this knowledge on to his children. He enjoyed hunting for moose and whitetail deer with his sons. He also taught most of his children how to drive – standard of course! He loved to dance and tried in vain to pass this elusive knowledge on to his children!

Russell served our country during WWII volunteering at the tender age of seventeen and re-enlisted during the Korean Campaign. He was a member for many years of the Army and Navy Magog branch - of which he served two years as Vice-President and two years as President. He was a long time member of the Legion in Quesnel and in Fort St-John, BC.

He lived life to its fullest; he will be greatly missed by his family and many friends.