Today we are a community in mourning. It is with great sadness that we share with you the passing of Warden Russell Boucher.
Russell was 65 and passed away on May 22, 2017, at home.
The man. The myth. The legend.
Born January 21, 1952, Russell was a man whose glass was always half full, never half empty – both literally and figuratively. He believed that what was worth doing, was worth doing well (Carmelita McKeough, Grade 7). He pushed life to the limits by working hard and playing harder.
He grew up on a hard-scrabble farm where money was scarce, but love and affection was plentiful. His parents instilled in their family the values of diligence, dedication and a healthy sense-of-humour.
Russell loved life and lived it on his own terms. His sunny disposition brightened every room he walked into and that was balanced by his stubborn nature – a trait that served him well in standing up for what he believed in. He enjoyed nothing more than a good rock in the rocker, fishing mackerel with his grand children, and entertaining whoever came in the front door.
His love for his family only came second to his love for the Toronto Maple Leafs (thank you, Coach Babcock for giving him a final playoff run). He always knew he could count on his right-hand woman, Germaine, who made sure there was food in his belly and love in his heart. His proudest accomplishment was raising his four strong-willed children and teaching them that the secret to life is laughter.
Russell will be remembered as a devoted leader who spent 32 years dedicated to serving his community, first as a Councillor for District 9 and then as Warden of the Municipality of the County of Antigonish. From advocating to keep local schools open to listening to concerns of community members, he could always be trusted to answer the phone and solve a problem.
He was a teacher not only in profession. He was always willing to share his knowledge and enthusiasm for all things electrical, fishing and hockey. He got great satisfaction when his students succeeded not only in their careers, but also in life. His endeavours are too many to list and he fully dedicated himself to each and every one.
With his warm heart and contagious laughter Russell made an impact on everyone he met. Whether he was walking through an airport or chatting with a stranger in a line up, Russell was known to make a friend. Some friends lasted a lifetime, others just stopped in for supper. To Russell a stranger was just a friend he hadn’t met yet.
He will be dearly missed by his supportive and loving wife of 42 years, Germaine (McNamara), his children, Ricky (Sue Dinham), Head of St. Margaret’s Bay; Michelle (Chris Brownoff) Yarmouth; Danielle (Martin) MacDougall, Edmonton, AB; and Renee (Dennis Boyle) Iqaluit, NU; his brothers Gerry (Kaye) Havre Boucher; Ben, East Tracadie; Arthur (Judy), Havre Boucher; Al (Yan Lin), Lower South River; sister-in-law Madonna, Monastery; his sisters Ella (Gary MacInnis) and Veronica (Dennis O’Neil) both of Yellowknife, NWT; his grandchildren Ethan, Finnegan, Max, Gallagher, Bailie, Skye and Shea; aunts Teresa Bonvie and Ethel Landry; and his many nieces and nephews, and Godchildren.
Born in Antigonish, he was the son of the late Sylvester and Isabel Boucher, and pre-deceased by his brother Leonard; sister-in-law Caroline; great-nephew Braedon Wood; and brothers Tony and Lloyd.
Visitation will be in St. Paul’s Centre, Havre Boucher on Thursday, May 25th, from 7 to 9 pm and Friday, May 26th, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 pm. Funeral Mass will be held in St. Paul’s Church, Havre Boucher on Saturday at 11:00 am. Burial in the parish cemetery.
Family flowers only, please. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: Havre Boucher Community Centre, The Time is Now Campaign, St. Martha’s Regional Hospital Foundation or Havre Boucher Veteran’s Association.
Online condolences: www.clcurry.com.