July 5, 1931 – December 30, 2020
Passed away peacefully, after a brief illness at Soldiers Memorial Hospital on Dec 30, 2020 in his 90th year. Russell will be missed by his beloved wife of 66 years, Carroll, nee Hipwell, his son, Eric, (Ardtrea) and daughter Gwen (Greg Laverty) (MIssissauga). Also by his 4 granddaughters, Jessica McCabe (Mason), (Thornton), Stephanie Carter, (Midhurst), Bronlyn Carter and her partner Simon Pettigrew (Fermont Quebec), Brianne Laverty, (Mississauga), and his great granddaughter, Avery McCabe, (Thornton).
Russell was the only child of the late George and May Carter, nee Hazlett. He will be greatly missed by George and Janice Anderson, Ken and Betty Hipwell, John and Mary Anne Hipwell, and 5 nephews.
Russell was a thoughtful, gentle, calm person who was the 3rd generation farmer on the Carter homestead on the 7th concession (Hampshire Mills Line) of Severn (Orillia) Township. His love of life was farming and he was able to do that his whole life. Though the mix of livestock and crops changed, the two constants were always improving the woodlot and the maple syrup business. He has farmed with his son since 1977, still helping him until he was 87. Russell loved cutting wood in the bush, and was able to do that until he was 85. He was a vendor at the Orillia Farmers Market for 45 years, mainly selling maple syrup, and didn’t give that up until he was 83. The Carter family has made maple syrup since 1904 and the tradition continues to this day.
He was a long time member of the Ardtrea United Church, and was one of the volunteers that built it in the early 1950’s. Later in life, he attended the Christian Fellowship Chapel. He was an active member of the North Simcoe Soil and Crop Improvement Association, (president in 1972-1973), and was an active member of the Orillia And District Agricultural (ODAS) Society (president in 1979-1980). Russell loved to snowmobile and went on many overnight trips to Quebec and the Sudbury area with his friends. He liked to travel within Canada and the USA, making several trips throughout each. He often said, “you should travel when you’re young; you might not be able to afford it, but when you’re older, you might not be able to, or you might not want to”.
Russell started recording a diary in 1945 and continued his whole life. He said he would reread his diaries when he got old, so he finally started reading them two years ago.
A very special thank you to Dr. Tazzeo and Dr. Bhatt for their time, thoughtfulness and compassion, and to the nurses and staff at the hospital for the wonderful care they provided.
Due to COVID 19, at this time there will not be a service or a celebration of life.
If desired, memorial donations to the Christian Fellowship Chapel or the Heart and Stroke Foundation would be appreciated and can be made through the Mundell Funeral Home, (705) 325-2231.