Suddenly, but peacefully at his home in Mission, Charles Russell Douglas Savage, born December 5, 1941 to Doug and Rhoda Savage (Morris). Born and raised in Vancouver, Russ attended King Edward High School, worked for the Toronto Dominion Bank for six years and then attended UBC to attain his Teaching Certificate. He later returned to attain his Bachelors of Education. He loved to learn and throughout his teaching career returned to school for courses and workshops regularly. This summer he was planning some "Elder" College courses at UBC. His teaching career with the Mission School District took him to several schools; first as a music specialty and later as a class
Russ was involved in choral groups throughout his life. On 13 occasions he took local choirs to compete and tour in England and Europe. He sang with both the Gallery Singers and the Bach Choir. Russ was an organist, most recently for the Anglican Catholic Church of Canada in their Âparishes in Vancouver, the Abbey in Mission, St. Alban's, Richmond, and St. John's, Shaughnessy. Russ circled the world in his Âtravels, having a particular love of the cathedrals he saw along the way. He sang with the choir of St. Alban's Holborn during his time in London, England.
Russ was an avid train enthusiast and loved to study the statistics and history of rail and early ship transportation. He belonged to the World Ship Society, The Heritage Railway Society and was a model train builder. He leaves to mourn; his sisters Mary Savage (Phil Severy) and Betty Higgenbottom, nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews and many friends.
A funeral service will be held on Friday, June 15, 2007 at 2:00 pm at St. Peter and St. Paul Anglican and Catholic Church 1649 Kitchener Street, Vancouver, B.C. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Franciscan Sisters of Atonement 385 East Cordova, Vancouver, B.C. V6A 1L4