Obituary of Russell Canning

Russell Alan Canning passed away at the Aberdeen Hospital in his 96th  year late into the evening of March 4th, 2023.

Born in Westville on January 4 1928, he was the son of the late Archibald and Mary (Rankin) Canning. He is pre-deceased by his siblings; George, Bob, Hazel, Gordon, Chet, Gene and Mary.

Russell is survived by his wife and soul mate of 72 years, Dorothy (Chisholm) Canning. In their older years, the two became best friends and closest confidants. Their love lasted more than a lifetime for many.

In life, Russell was a taxi driver, oil truck driver, bus driver and school janitor, but his favorite job was that of a grandfather. Russell was a man of many passions; an avid gardener, rug latch hooker and baseball fan. He was always eager to talk about the recent Blue Jays game or what was happening on the news.

A father of nine, Russell is pre-deceased by his daughter, Ruthie; sons, Chet and David;  grandson David Allan; daughter-in-law Debbie;  son-in-law John.

He is survived by his sons; Jack (Pamela), Russell , Clayton (Donna) and Donald (Susan), and his daughters; Cathy Van den Eyden and Mary Jane Marcott (Louis); daughter-in-law Charlene Canning and sister-in-law Mary Lays. He is also survived by his eleven grandchildren, Rob, Jason, Vanessa, Stephanie, Michael, Jen, Jacob, Randy, Chris, Kati and Christie; thirteen great- grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren.

Russell was a patriarch that felt blessed to see generations. Russell’s loved ones will continue to see him in the lives he created and the moments he cultivated.

A special thanks to Palliative Care and the VON for taking such great, loving care of Russell in his later years. No funeral service will be held at this time, but a celebration of life will take place later in the Spring. Donations may be made to Palliative Care in Russell’s memory.