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Posted Mar 5, 2025 | 12:24 PM
Russell Lloyd Sylvester Smith – 1943-2025
If there was a way to fix it, build it, or make it last another 10 years with a bit of duct tape and ingenuity, Russell Smith knew how. Born and raised in the wilds of Northern Ontario, Russ was a man of many talents, many careers, and an endless supply of quick wit and life advice.
At 82, Russ was still doing what he did best—helping others, cracking jokes, and making sure nobody left the plumbing aisle of Home Depot with the wrong fittings. He was a kind-hearted man with a lifetime of knowledge around building houses and fixing almost anything. Russ was a life-long student, always reading books and taking classes and curious about the world and how things worked.
An outdoorsman at heart, Russ spent much of his free time enjoying nature and loved animals. He enjoyed a long, full, healthy life and his family and grandchildren will miss him dearly, but we know somewhere out there, he’s chuckling and shaking his head at someone using the wrong wrench.
Please join the family in celebrating the life of Russell Smith at the Burke Funeral Home 150 Church Street, Belleville, on Monday, March 10th at 12PM. At 1:30 there will be a brief ceremony and a chance to share stories of Russ with his loved ones.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Humane Society of Hastings Prince Edward or Belleville General Hospital Foundation.