Russell Leroy Lynds – 88, Salmon River, formerly of Belmont. With extreme sadness we announce that our beloved father, grandfather, father-in-law, brother, uncle, son and friend, passed away on Saturday, May 20, 2023, at Colchester East Hants Health Centre, Truro, surrounded by family.
Dad was born in Kindersley, Saskatchewan, and shortly after his birth, the family moved home to Belmont. Many years later, Dad built our family home in Belmont and spent the rest of his life until Mum passed away in April 2010. One year later, he moved in with his daughter, Jan and son-in-law, Gordie in Princeton Heights, Salmon River. Dad loved to garden and give gardening advice. He enjoyed music in any form, especially "Old Time" fiddle music.
In the 1950s, Russell was heavily involved with the day-to-day operations of his in-law's farm, while he also worked at Stanfield's as a sewing machine mechanic for many years. After he retired from Brookfield Lumber at age 79, he continued working at Pye's and Stuart's as a detailer and shuttle driver.
My Dad could do anything Mum and I ever asked of him and later on for his companion, Barb Dill. He and Mum (Avis), his wife of 56 years, attended many dances and after Mum passed away, he found companionship and friendship with Barb Dill and they went to many dances, music events and their favourite was having supper at Wendy’s. (Junior Bacon Cheeseburger with a side dish of onions!) Dad had his own Country and Western Band for 43 years (4 Plus 1); he so enjoyed organizing and playing (he was the drummer) at many dances. In earlier years, he was a member of Wesley United Church and Onslow Belmont Fire Brigade.
Horses were a huge part of Dad's life, and he always rode horses bareback when he was a young fellow, and he owned many horses over the years. He was always a very hard worker, and if anyone needed anything done that required a strong man, they could count on my Dad; he was always ready to help out.
Dad is survived by his forever loyal and loving only child, Jan (Lynds) Parker; faithful son-in-law, Gordie Parker; cherished and beloved granddaughter always, Tanya Parker (Chad McClellan) and six months ago he was truly blessed with the birth of his only great grandson, Renley Gordon McClellan, a true joy, who he loved so much; he adored and checked on Renley every day since his birth. The days Dad did not get to see Renley in person, he always wanted to see the pictures and videos that our daughter would send. Russell is also survived by many nieces and nephews.
We would like to acknowledge and thank Dad’s companion, Barb Dill; your care, compassion and friendship shown to my father for the last 12 years was absolutely wonderful. Dad is also survived by his brother, Kenny Lynds (Shirley) and many International grandchildren from Germany, Brazil, South Korea, Columbia, Mexico and Italy over a 13 year period.
Along with his parents, Edward and Ruby (Bruce) Lynds, Dad was predeceased by his wife, Avis (Staples) Lynds; brother, Bruce Lynds (Eileen Lynds); parents-in-law, Alma and Arnold Staples. We would like to give heartfelt thanks to Sherry Cornier and Chris Hutchinson for their excellent and loving care of Dad, VON and nurses Janet, Martha and Melissa in the Palliative Care Unit at Colchester East Hants Health Centre.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Mattatall – Varner Funeral Home, 55 Young Street, Truro, where Russell’s family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m., Sunday, May 28, 2023, and funeral service 2 p.m., Monday, May 29, 2023. Reception will follow. Family interment will be held at Belmont (Crossroads) Cemetery. If so desired, donations in Russell’s memory to Friends of the Garden Fund (Please make cheques payable to Dalhousie Faculty of Agriculture) are welcomed. Public messages of condolence may be sent to the family by viewing Russell’s obituary at: www.mattatallvarnerfh.com