Gently into the arms of Jesus, age 91, lovingly surrounded by family. Devoted husband of the late Alice (nee Gleason) for 56 years. Cherished father of Mary Skarsten, Stephen (Dale), Sharon Ranson (Steve), and Ruth Ferguson (John). Dear Papa to Rachel, Ian, Jon, Tom, Russ, Maggie, Eric, Joshua and Hilary. Sadly missed by sister Grace Thomson (Ker), in-laws Shirley, Joan and Christine Self, Ken Hutton and Roger Gleason (Audrey) and many nephews and nieces. Welcomed home to glory by brothers Harvey, Leonard and Stanley, parents James Harvey and Adeline Caldwell, in-laws Betty Self, Dora Hutton and Lois Sawyer (Clarence) and son-in-law Stan Skarsten. Born in Vancouver and raised in Toronto, in his teens Russell preached the gospel on street corners and was a counsellor at Pioneer Camp. A great athlete, he was captain of his varsity soccer team and refereed OHL hockey. After completing degrees at Toronto Bible College (Tyndale) and University of Western Ontario, an M. Div. at Knox College, and Masters in Philosophy (University of Toronto) and Theology (Westminster Seminary, Philadelphia), Russell and Alice served 20 years in India with the Presbyterian Church, then moved to Singapore, Manila and New York with the United Bible Societies. After retirement, he held pastorates across Canada from Fort St. John to Huntsville and directed global leadership training through Haggai Institute. Travelling to every continent of the world with an enthusiastic passion to get the Word of God out to all people, his letters home reflected his intense love for family. A life-changing mentor to many; highly principled; a man of unswerving faith in Jesus Christ; to the end he delighted staff at Cummer Lodge with his warm twinkly smile, the Bible always in his hands. Visitation at the R. S. Kane Funeral Home, 6150 Yonge Street (at Goulding, south of Steeles) on Sunday March 4th from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. and Monday March 5th from 7 to 9 p.m. Funeral at Knox Presbyterian Church, 630 Spadina Avenue on Tuesday March 6th at 10:30 a.m. (U of T parking northeast corner of Spadina and Harbord) Reception to follow. Interment Elgin Mills Cemetery. Memorial donations to the Canadian Bible Society and the Russell and Alice Self Scholarship at Tyndale University would be appreciated. Jesus said, �I am now and forever the life that shatters death. Those who count on me will be brought out of despair and live always in me� John 11:25.
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