Russell WHITE Obituary
1921 - 2014
On March 15, 2014, with Frank Sinatra's "I did it my way" playing in the background, his golf bag over his left shoulder and his skis on his right, Russell White headed out. Born in 1921 and raised in Point Grey, he grew up sailing, playing basketball and lacrosse, and developing a lifelong passion for golf and skiing. In his late teens his family moved to Chilliwack where he met his wife and lifelong sweetheart Ida, who tried to keep him on the straight and narrow for 54 years, but predeceased him much too early in 1996. He served his country in the Second World War, as a bomber pilot with the Royal Canadian Air Force, stationed in England and Tunisia. We know very little about his time overseas as he rarely talked about it. He settled into family life, moving to Deep Cove in the early 1950s, becoming a 58 year member of his beloved Seymour Golf & Country Club. He is survived by his daughter Donna (Paul), his son Ian (Penney), his grandchildren Craig (Heather), Darrell (Nicci), Emily (Robert), and Marcilyn, his great grandchildren Jayne, Gabriel and Ian, and his special friends Dave and Stacy Wright. He will be missed by the golf community where he volunteered and worked for the BCGA and many other golf associations for fifty years. He will also be missed at Whistler, where he worked for Whistler Blackcomb Ski School and supported the GLC for twenty plus years, retiring at age 89, after attaining an honourary Level Three instructor's Certificate in his early 80s. The family will have a private memorial and a commemorative run down Whistler's Lower Dave Murray. In lieu of flowers please make donations to the SPCA, listen to Ella Fitzgerald and lift a glass of red wine.
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8 Entries
Daniel Quilty
April 20, 2014
Sad, sad news to read of Russell's passing, we will all dearly miss him from the golfing scene. Russ was a mentor to many of us "rookies' coming on to the scene in the 80's and 90's with the BCGA.
He was always well prepared and organized for any task at hand and probably forgot more rules of golf than many of us combined learned. He was indeed a joy to work with (for) and did enjoy that glass of red after the days work was done. Farewell and thanks for memories and good times Russell...you were indeed a golfers gentleman.
April 17, 2014
I have many fond memories of Russ and like many others, I learned so much about the game, including how to 'prepare a place for them to play', and unwinding at the end of a long day on the course with a glass of red (sometimes not always a fine red!)
Adrian Lawrie
March 30, 2014
I enjoyed and admired Russ very much. I felt special that he would share his days in the war with me. I loved watching him give me the evil eye when on the right occasion I would single him out for his bravery and accomplishments during the war. As you know he played them down. We are blessed to have had this humble hero in our midst. He will be sorely missed. Adrian
Dale Jackson
March 20, 2014
Russ was a great mentor to me as I learned the ins and outs of being a rules official. There is not a day I spend on the golf course when something he showed me does not come to mind.
And I know I am not alone, there is a small army of officials who learned from Russ and are better for his time and knowledge. And there is a large army of golfers who benefited from his learned, wise and "unique" approach to helping them on a golf course.
He was a unique personality and a good friend. I will miss him.
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Tasha Bukovnik
March 19, 2014
Looking back I think every single memory I have of Russ is a happy one. I was lucky to be able to spend lots of time with him traveling to tournaments around the province and he was always nothing but entertaining and had a smile on his face. He will always be an inspiration to me and I hope when I reach my golden years I'll have half the gumption he did! Every time I drink a glass of fine red wine I'll think of Russ:)
Bill Hobbis
March 18, 2014
Golf has lost a star. Russ gave thousands of hours to the game and for those of us who had the privilege of working with him will enjoy sharing our memories for many years. Thank you Russ for all you gave back to the game of golf.
Bill Hobbis
Ed Giovanella
March 18, 2014
I was playing in the Pitt Meadows Golden Ears tournament a while back. I drove my ball thru the 9th fairway. Conditions were not very good and there were quite a few areas that were marked as GUR all around my ball. But neither my ball nor my stance was in GUR despite the fact that my lie was identical to areas that were marked. Russ was nearby, so I summoned him. As I explained my situation, he kept muttering "oh, that's too bad" over and over again. I sensed that I was going to get relief when Russ looked me straight in the eye and said "I guess I must have run out of white paint when I got OFF THE FAIRWAY...play the ball!" He will be missed!
Susan White
March 18, 2014
Russ will always hold a special place in our hearts as a mischievous fellow who loved to pull pranks on his fellow Rules Officials and loved to argue the finer points. I am all the much wealthier for having known him and know his memory will live on. I feel his spirit looking over my shoulder.
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