Russell Stewart Gardner

It is with love and sorrow that the family of Father Russell Stewart Gardner announce his passing on November 2, 2026. He is survived by his sister, Doris; his three daughters, Susan, Kathleen (Gaetan), Mary (Leonard), and daughter-in-law, Heather; his seven grandchildren, Jesse (Natalie), Tanya, Vicky (David), Shawn, Kristopher (Michele), Lance (Melissa) and Tina (Micheal); his 11 great grandchildren, Remy, Quinn, Emma, Amber, Ian, Alysha, Zachary, Kallie, Aidan, Declan, and Dexter; his three great great grandchildren, Elias, Eltyn, and Penelope, and many more extended family members, cherished friends, and members of his Faith community.

He is reunited in death with the love of his life, Jean (nee Lance), his sons, Denis and Russel Jr. (Rocky), his sons-in-law, Douglas and Paul, his siblings, Eva, Ethel, Romeo, Lawrence (Lorne), Dorothy (Dot), Beatrice (Bee), and his parents, Stewart and Lena (nee Pleau).

Dad loved to play sports, especially golf, and has been a lifelong Maple Leafs and Blue Jays fan. He worked in the Eddy Match Co. in Pembrooke, and for the CNR and Iron Ore plant in Sudbury. He met our mother, Jean, married, and went on to have 5 children together. When our mother passed away, he went to seminary school in Ottawa to study for the priesthood. Ordained as a priest in 1991, at the age of 61, he served in several parishes in Northern Ontario for more than 26 years. He even presided at several marriages and baptisms in his own family! He moved to Alberta in 2017, supported churches in his area when able, and celebrated 98 long years on this Earth before his passing.

His love for every single one of us, and his leadership of faith in our family, will be forever missed.

A private Celebration of Life will occur in Alberta prior to returning to Ontario for a Catholic funeral and burial before being laid to rest next to his wife, Jean.

Please, in lieu of flowers, consider making a donation to the Society of Saint Vincent De Paul - Edmonton.