Celebrating Parker's Life
Obituary of Parker William Russell
Parker William Russell
August 18, 1937 – February 19, 2024
It is with profound sadness we wish to announce the sudden passing of Parker William Russell at the Dartmouth General Hospital on February 19, 2024, in his 87th year. Parker was the second son of Carl Parker Russell and Nora Helen Russell (née Hubley), both deceased. He is survived by brothers Carl (Edith) of Taupo, N.Z., Lee (Sue) of Greenwood, NS, and Vernon of Lakeview, NS, as well as sisters Gail of Calgary, AB, Lynda (Soori) of Lakeview, NS, and Joan (Rick) of Edmonton, AB. Mary Johnson of Fall River, NS, will hold Parker’s memory dear. Parker was predeceased by three of his brothers, Edward (Marie) of Spryfield, NS, Donald (Alvina) of Bella Bella, BC, and Ian (Marie) of Bruderhiem, AB.
Parker will be missed by his nieces, nephews, great- and great-great-nieces, and great and great-great-nephews, as well as his many close cousins and lifelong friends. Parker will be remembered fondly for his kindness, humour, and skilled storytelling. As his niece Katherine says, Parker made everyone feel important, loved, and beautiful. Parker’s many stories will live on in those who knew him.
Parker was born in Halifax, NS, on August 18, 1937, and moved to Greenwood with his family in 1954. In the following year he joined the Royal Canadian Air Force. While posted to France in the early 1960s, Parker obtained his private pilot’s license. Flying would become a lifelong passion of Parker’s, and he loved to recount his days soaring over continental Europe. While stationed in France, Parker travelled extensively, visiting Spain, Denmark, Holland, Germany, and more. He was especially fond of Ireland, where he was rumoured to have spent time in some of Dublin’s best pubs with a famous Irish novelist for company. After retiring from the Canadian military, Parker worked for the County of Halifax and later with the RCMP at the Stanfield International Airport as a commissionaire.
Coming home to Nova Scotia, Parker settled in Lakeview, where he would come to enjoy frequent visits from his family. Following the death of his father, Parker opened his home to his mother, where she resided until her death in 2011. Parker continued his travels domestically, going home to Greenwood, fishing the Mira River in Cape Breton, spending time in Newfoundland, and later hunting, fishing, boating, and visiting with his brother Don in British Columbia. After his final retirement, Parker travelled to New Zealand to visit his brother Carl and family in Taupo.
Parker cared deeply for his large family spread across the globe. Ever a willing ear, Parker was sought out by friends and family for his warm conversation and thoughtful advice. He enjoyed meeting and helping people, sharing many cups of coffee with friends far and wide, including his good friend “Miss Patti” of Scotland.
A talented gunsmith with an encyclopedic knowledge of historic firearms, Parker worked on displays and restored antique weapons at the Halifax Citadel and the Fortress of Louisburg National Historic Site in Cape Breton. He built and restored many types of guns and was an enthusiastic member of the North Mountain Gun Club, where he participated in many black powder events. Parker was also a long-time Mason.
Parker’s first passion was the great outdoors, where he spent many hours hunting and fishing—he could catch a fish anywhere they could swim. An accomplished bow hunter, Parker was happiest in the woods, a true “mountain man.” He was artistic, painting watercolour landscapes and while posted to Greenwood his witty cartoons were featured weekly in the local base paper, the Argus. He was musical, Parker could often be found playing the harmonica, accordion, and concertina or writing poetry for closest friends. He had a great enthusiasm for and love of history.
Parker loved most spending time with his extended family, cooking and telling stories, laughing, and just carrying on. We will all miss his silly jokes and antics.
A special thank you to his nieces Kathy and Karen Russell for their loving attention and care over the years, and to his nephew Carl Russell for always lending a helping hand.