Orvall Russell

Mr. Orval Russell passed away peacefully at Hogarth-Riverview Manor on February 1, 2018.

Orval was born in Windsor, Ontario on April 30, 1923 to Josephine LeBreton and Douglas Russell.  He was the youngest of 15 children.

During his working career Orval did a variety of jobs from logging, shipping, highway construction, maintenance at Westmount Hospital and his final and favourite job as maintenance man at H.M.C.S. Griffon Naval Reserve. Orval was a skilled logger, telling stories about cutting and hauling cords of wood in record time by horse and by truck.  He loved his cars and took extremely good care of them.

Orval and his long-time partner, Irja Saxholm, took great pride in their home, their yard and the cats-Puddy, Smokey, Sandy and Kitty.

He is survived by sister Therese (Paul) Veilleux, numerous nieces and nephews, extended families Arlene and Morley Wiseman and family, Glenn Beitz and family as well as long-time Grandview/Hogarth roommate Robert McKee.

He was predeceased by his companion Irja Saxholm, parents, brothers, sisters and good friend Annie Sikora.

Funeral services for Orval will be held at Blake Funeral Chapel at 10:00 am on Saturday, February 3, 2018 with Rev. Maurizio Maifredi c.s. officiating.  Interment will follow in Mountain View Cemetery.  If desired and in respect for Orval’s love of animals, donations can be made to the Humane Society.