Russell Herbert Manson

MANSON, Russell Herbert Colonel (Group Captain) Ret'd, AFC, CD On April 24, 2017, aged 96, at the Royal Jubilee Hospital in Victoria, BC. Russ is survived by his beloved wife Bern, son Garth (Margaret Fisher) and sister Shirley Phizacklea of Winnipeg. He was predeceased by his son Greg (Angela van Barneveld) and sisters Doreen Luke and Marjorie Albi. Russ also leaves several nieces and nephews in Canada and the United States. Born in Winnipeg, Russ began pilot training with the RCAF at age 19. Posted overseas in 1941, he served as an original Hampden bomber pilot and member of 408 squadron, one of the first two Canadian bomber squadrons formed in England. Finishing his tour in 1942, he returned to Canada as an instructor with the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan. Marrying Bern in 1943, his love of flying kept him in the service after the war where he had a varied career that included, among other things, postings to Texas as an exchange officer with the USAF, to the Egyptian Sinai as commander of 115 Air Transport Unit El Arish during UNEF peacekeeping prior to the Six Day War, to Italy for three years as Canada's military attaché, and to various senior staff positions at Canadian Forces HQ in Ottawa. Retiring in 1975, Russ and Bern relocated to Victoria where he played golf with the same foursome for almost 25 years at the Victoria Golf Club. Blessed with apparently infinite patience and a keen sense of humour, Russ coped quietly with declining hearing and eyesight, along with the other vicissitudes of old age - being heard to say that he could tell you how he won the war but not what he did yesterday. However, he appreciated his good fortune in having lived a long and full life - and took great satisfaction in surpassing his goal of 35 years of pension to equal his 35 years of military service. The family is grateful to all the healthcare providers who unfailingly supported Russ in his later years, including McNeill Audiology, Home Instead, Estevan Pharmacy, Dr. Malcom Orr, Dr. Geoff Luckhurst and, in recent years, Dr. Ted Rosenberg and his colleagues at Home Team Medical Services, and finally Drs. Lawson, Klingenberg, DeMott and the nurses and care aides of 3 NE CTU at the Jubilee for their care and compassion in his last days. A special thanks to the staff and residents of Shannon Oaks for helping Russ and Bern make it their home for the last seven years. A true gentleman, generous and kind in spirit, who genuinely liked people, Russ was at the same time a practical, independent man who valued his privacy and hated to "make a fuss". In keeping with his wishes, there was no visitation or service. Cremation has taken place, with inurnment at Royal Oak Burial Park in Victoria. For those wishing, donations may be made to their preferred charity.