FRANCIS (FRANK) RUSSELL Sr, of the Blood Reserve, AB, passed away peacefully at home with his beloved wife Clara by his side, on Saturday, July 7, 2018 at the age of 85 years.

Dad is survived by his children: Ron (Theresa) Healy, Annette Russell, Victoria Russell, Frank Jr. Russell, Kelly (Ron) Thunder Chief. Adopted children: Ivan (Patsy) Healy, Ernestine (Calvin) Red Crow and Connie Tail Feathers. Grandchildren: Dagmar, Shawna, R.J Healy, Monty Crow Chief & Lance (Lana) Healy, Les, Vern Jr., Kayla (Tim) Frank, Scotty, Tracey (Godfrey), Eulalia, Sarah Goodstriker, Rodney, Kenny (Amber) Skye (Damien), Francine, Iinakay (Meadow), Maggie, Guy Russell and Andrea Fox. He is also survived by his brother Camille (Lucy) Russell and sister in-law: Elizabeth Big Throat and many great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. Predeceased by children: daughter Eleanor (Healy) Crow Chief, son Curtis Russell, grandson Chris Healy and great-great granddaughters Nevaeh and Tori and brothers Sam, Guy, Willy, Paul and Leo Russell, and sisters Laura Madl and Mary Russell.

Dad was always a very hard worker always sure to provide for his family working in the field of road construction as a Heavy Equipment operator beginning first with Cardston Public of Highways, Lethbridge Department of Roads and then up into his retirement with Blood Tribe Roads and Dam (Blood Tribe Public Works). Dad always took pride in maintaining his homestead as can be seen by the many trees that he planted. Dad’s days were always spent in the comfort of his home sitting alongside the love of his life Clara. Dad loved mom so much that he would do everything and anything possible to make her happy and they enjoyed each other’s company. When mom would go visit her sister and or any of their children, dad would get worried, and begin calling mom to ask when she will return home from the overnight stay. Dad enjoyed and treasured every moment with all his many grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. He travelled and attended all the many sports that all the grand kids played, and he was their biggest fan. Dad’s strong traditional way influenced his children and grandchildren to continue the ways of our Blackfoot Tradition. Dad’s strong Blackfoot belief influenced his family to participate in our Blackfoot Sundance. He cherished the moments when he watched his grandchildren participate in local rodeos and powwows. Dad and mom made their house a home and would always make sure to encourage us all to pray the rosary. One of mom and Dad’s highlights was a seven day pilgrimage to Portugal, Spain, where they visited the blessed sites  behind the history of Our Lady of Fatima. That’s how he gave his great-grandson, Pierce, his Indian name, “Aappamoo”. Every day, he always asked for his grandson, Rider, who always sang for him at the age of three. Together they said the rosary diligently and attended church every Sunday. Dad had such a great sense of humor, always joking with his grandchildren calling them ‘little pigs’ and tickling them with his mustache. He would often tease and say that he ate his ring finger by accident thinking it was a hot dog and covering their eyes when people were kissing in a movie with his missing finger.

Dad loved mom so much that he made sure to tell her “I Love You” one last time before peacefully passing away. Our dear dad and grandpa will be truly missed, and he will leave a very huge void in all our lives, but we take great comforting in knowing that he was happily greeted by his parents Paul & Annette Russell, his children, grandchildren, siblings and family members that have gone before him. We love you dad.

A Wake will be held at WHITE CALF HALL, Blood Reserve, AB, on Friday, July 13, 2018 from 7:00 P.M. to 11:00 P.M.

The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at ST. MARY’S IMMACULATE CONCEPTION CATHOLIC CHURCH, Blood Reserve, AB, on Saturday, July 14, 2018 at 11:00 A.M. with Father Pawel Andrasz O.M.I. celebrating. The Interment will follow at St. Catherine’s Cemetery.

To send a condolence, please visit www.cornerstonefuneralhome.com

• Date : 2018-07-09