Russell Hellard

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Russell Hellard, 98, who lived the last few years of his life peacefully in Victoria, BC. He will be greatly missed by his loving wife Kaija of 70 years, his daughter Susan (partner Douglas), and grandchildren: Christine, Bryan, Emily and Michelle, and daughter-in-law Jane. He was predeceased by his son Ralph, and all 5 of his siblings; Viola, Irv, Marjory, Frank, and Eileen.

Russ was born in Toronto, Ontario to parents Walter and Bertha, where he grew up the second youngest of 6. At the age of 21, he enlisted with the Canadian Army and was chosen for the "No. 1 Canadian Special Wireless Group" of the Royal Canadian Corps of Signals. He was trained and eventually stationed in Darwin, Australia intercepting Japanese military messages in morse code. When the war ended he began the long journey back to Toronto where he returned to university and obtained a degree in chemical engineering. He then became employed with Calgon, with whom he would spend his entire career working as a consultant in industrial water treatment. It was then that he met and married the love of his life Kaija, and shortly after they started their family and began the move out west, stopping briefly in Edmonton and finally settling in Coquitlam, BC., where he lived for 58 years and made many contributions to the community. Russ was proud of the fact that he retired early, and he kept busy with turning his hobby of photography into a second unofficial career. He was very active at the Dogwood Pavilion seniors centre, leading both the Veterans and Life Writing groups. He was passionate about crime prevention, and was an integral member of various community Policing, Block watch and Court watch committees. In 2013 he received the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee medal for his contributions to our country. He also spent his retirement travelling the world and spending quality time with family.

Russ will always be remembered as the gentle, unfaltering patriarch of our family who was unconditionally supportive of all of our endeavors. In his later years he enjoyed simple pleasures like going to the park to watch the turtles and herons, or enjoying some good chocolate. He was able to continue to attend family gatherings until the end and create memories we will forever hold dear. Despite a few minor bumps in the road he was in good health and always positive and determined, reciting his motto of "98 and feeling great" and setting a precedent of aging with bravery and grace.

"Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.

At the going down of the sun and in the morning

We will remember them."

-For the Fallen, Laurence Binyon