Dr Eric Noel Russell, MB BCh BAO (died 4 February 2020, aged 88)
Obituary submitted by Noel’s family
Dr Eric Noel Russell passed away suddenly on 4 February 2020. Noel was born 19 December 1931 in Ballymena, Northern Ireland. He was the youngest of a family of six siblings born to James Lockhart Russell and Sarah Russell. He qualified as a medical doctor in 1955 and after marrying Maureen in 1957, they embarked on the grand adventure of immigrating to New Westminster, BC, where he interned at Royal Columbian Hospital. Noel and Maureen’s family grew rapidly: they welcomed four boys in six years (Brian, David, John and Colin) and completed their family by adopting Anne. Maureen and all five children have been left to mourn him, along with their spouses Kathy, Lisa, Mari-Ann, Maria and Daryl. They raised their children in Coquitlam before moving to White Rock in 1989.
For almost 40 years Noel served the community of Surrey as a family physician, caring with compassion for several generations and delivering hundreds of babies before his retirement in 1997.
Noel and Maureen shared a love of the wilderness, and once their children were grown they enjoyed several decades of adventures in nature. They hiked, skied, kayaked, canoed and rafted in many majestic wilderness settings on several continents. They particularly enjoyed their expeditions in Canada’s north. Noel was also an avid birdwatcher and played squash for many years. He and Maureen were active and involved grandparents to their 17 grandchildren and enjoyed meeting their 10 great-grandchildren, and looked forward to the two joining us this year. They also warmly welcomed and enjoyed meeting their grandchildren’s spouses. The family he and Maureen started in beautiful British Columbia numbers nearly 50 people now. Noel was truly a “gentle” man and was devoted to Maureen. He served as a role model to his children and doted on his pets.
Back to list
Top of Page