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Legendary local lawyer, 'Rusty' Russell, mourned

Russell worked 'with vigour' in municipal law, was a long-time Rotarian and was in demand throughout the province
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Well-known local lawyer, Rotarian and municipal law specialist, Rusty Russell, died earlier this week.

A well-known Orillia lawyer and active Rotarian whose long, storied career took him from early involvement with the famed Avro Arrow project to a leadership role in the field of municipal law has died.

Wharton Duncan “Rusty” Russell passed away Thursday at the age of 93. He leaves behind his wife Catharine and daughter Ellen.

“He was a great mentor to me,” said long-time friend and partner Doug Christie, who joined Russell’s practice in 1973. “His way of approaching any legal problem was to simplify it.”

Originally from Gravenhurst, Russell was called to the bar in 1953, and established his Orillia firm (now known as Russell Christie LLP) in 1960 after seven years of practice in Toronto.

During those early years, Russell served as lawyer and secretary to A.V. Roe and Company (Avro Canada), the company behind the Avro Arrow project, which at the time had been seen as a great example of Canadian ingenuity and technical marvel in the aviation field.

Christie recalled that Russell told him he was taking notes at a meeting when Avro’s president received a phone call from Ottawa announcing that then-Prime Minister John Diefenbaker and his government had opted to cancel the project.

Russell later told a Packet & Times columnist that the president announced to those assembled: “The great white father in Ottawa has done it. The Avro Arrow is cancelled, and this meeting is adjourned.”

From there, Russell eventually moved to Orillia and became a fixture in not only the legal field, but also became an important community builder in the city and its environs that included more than 50 years as an active member of The Rotary Club of Orillia with a strong commitment to a wide variety of service work.

He was recently honoured by the club with a plaque for 56 years of “service above self” to recognize his life of community service.

Ralph Cipolla, a long-time Rotarian and municipal councillor, said Russell played an important role in bringing projects like the Rotary Aqua Theatre to fruition.

“He was very well respected,” Cipolla said, adding Russell could always be counted on to help out and was a true gentleman. 

“He never had a bad word for anybody and never used foul language. I personally will miss him and am very grateful for his contributions. Rusty Russell was Rotary.”

And while he continued to be active in the community, he also remained very active in the law. Russell joked about taking “early retirement” four years ago at the age of 89, but continued to be an important dean of municipal law.

“He started in municipal law in the 1960s when it really wasn’t a field, but saw that the field was becoming more complex,” Christie said, noting that unlike many lawyers, who often work with stacks of files surrounding them, Russell was very organized.

“He started working for the City of Orillia and the Township of Orillia(now Severn Township). He would work with great vigour.”

 Russell also leaves an important legacy in his field, thanks to a book he authored entitled Russell on Roads. The tome has become an essential read for both municipalities and jurists across the province.

And while the subject matter may seem dry, Christie said the writing is “whimsical” in spots and makes the topic an enjoyable read. In fact, Christie noted he received a thank-you letter this week from a Superior Court justice who had recently used Russell on Roads to help with a case.

In 2005, Russell became the first recipient of the Award of Excellence in Municipal Law presented by the Ontario Bar Association’s municipal law section.

A gifted orator, Russell frequently lectured throughout the province to a wide range of policy makers and politicians as well as those working directly in the field, including the Ontario Land Surveyors Association.

“He was always in demand as a public speaker and had a great sense of humour,” Christie said, noting the firm Russell started now has seven lawyers and specializes in a wide variety of municipal law work such as environmental, contract and planning matters across the province.

“He was the one who built the firm and we just rode on his coattails.”

Visitation for Russell will be held Tuesday from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. and from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Mundell Funeral Home in Orillia with a funeral service scheduled for 2 p.m. the next day at St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church on Peter Street North.


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Andrew Philips

About the Author: Andrew Philips

Editor Andrew Philips is a multiple award-winning journalist whose writing has appeared in some of the country’s most respected news outlets. Originally from Midland, Philips returned to the area from Québec City a decade ago.
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