HEAR MANY MORE RUSS GURR SONGS IN
THE "TRAIN" SEGMENT OF OUR TRIBUTE
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December 23, 1918 - November 8, 2011 Goodbye Old Friend ~ Bill and Sue-On
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Russell Clarence Gurr of Brandon passed away peacefully at his residence, Valleyview Care Centre, on Tuesday, November 8, 2011 at the age of 92 years. A Traditional Funeral Service to honour Russ' life will be held at Knox United Church, 451-18th Street, on Saturday, November 12, 2011 at 1:00 p.m. with Rev. David Cathcart officiating. Interment will follow at the Brandon Cemetery. Donations in memory of Russ may be made to the Knox United Church Memorial Fund, 451-18th Street, Brandon, Manitoba, R7A 5A9 or to a charity of choice. Complete obituary information is presented below. |
Russ was born December 23rd, 1918 at Arrow River, MB and with family at his side, peacefully passed away on November 8th, 2011 at Valleyview Care Centre in Brandon, MB. Russ was the second youngest and last surviving of seven children born to Albert and Bertha (Richardson) Gurr. In 1939 Russ married Phyllis Hunter of Lenore, MB. Russ always loved the land and over the years they farmed at Lenore, Hamiota and Brandon, MB. From 1952 to 1958 he served as the Progressive Conservative organizer for rural Manitoba. While still farming, Russ' singing career continued to develop with regular performances on CKX TV and many years of touring rural Canada for the Federal Grain Corp. and Eli Lilly Co. His proudest moment as an entertainer came in 1970 when he performed for Queen Elizabeth II as part of Manitoba's centennial celebrations. Russ was a storyteller, historian, musician and singer, farmer, politician, son, husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle and friend to many. Predeceased by his wife Phyllis in 2000 and daughter-in-law Donna in 2002. Russ is survived by his children Wayne (Yolanda), Sherrill (John), Barry (Carolyn and Patricia (Wayne), 14 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren and a large extended family. A celebration of Russ' life was held at Knox United Church on Saturday, November 12th, 2011 with Rev. David Cathcart officiating. The eulogy was given by grand-daughter, Tracie Willkinson and the pallbearers were grandsons, Brad Gurr, Kent Arrell, Adam Gurr, Michael Workman and great-grandson, Paul Pomehichuk. Brockie Donovan Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. |
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On the 23rd day of December, I began My long long journey in a big big land I was born one day | By the town of Arrow River
The world was wrapped in holly | With the tinsel on
the trees
I remember with my father | To the little town I'd
go
I remember when a cyclone | Tore the fences from the
ground
From On
the Road with Russ Gurr ~ Words and Music by Russ
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.
.
.
I. From the Hillman Scrapbooks
THE FEDERAL
GRAIN TRAIN TOURS
www.hillmanweb.com/train
A rare previously unrecorded Russ Gurr song: Stompin' Tom and
Me.
Recorded by Steve Fruitman in Russ's Brandon living room in the
summer of 2003.
Russ Gurr: Recipient
of the Porcupine Hall of Fame Award 2003
Listen Here:
The
Federal Grain Train
Russ
Gurr sings Stompin' Tom and Me
The
Thresherman's Ball
The
Hurleyville Taxi
Go
Raiders Go
23rd
Day
Many More at:
www.hillmanweb.com/train
