Russ Benneweis, beloved husband of Alison of Airdrie, passed away on Sunday, October 22, 2017 at the age of 51 years.
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Russell loved reading and had an inquisitive mind on many topics. He had a passion for military history which led him to change his career path and move to Alberta to pursue his dream of completing his Ph.D. in History in addition to his B.S.A. and Master鈥檚 in Strategic Studies. Russ鈥� career choices included sessional instructor in History at the University of Calgary, veteran interviewer and curatorial assistant at the Military Museums, and manager at the Weyburn Inland Terminal.
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Russ was also a skilled baseball and hockey player and played on numerous teams in Saskatchewan and Alberta.听 His interest in sporting activities included coaching the women鈥檚 university hockey team and enjoying other sports such as golf and curling. He was also a big fan of the Minnesota Twins, the Boston Bruins and the Saskatchewan Roughriders. Russ also volunteered at the Military Museums in Calgary.
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Russ had an affinity for children and animals who were always drawn to him. He also embraced his agricultural roots after leaving the farm and enjoyed attending cattle sales and other farming exhibitions. Russell had a keen interest in music, teaching himself to play guitar and joining the church choir. He was loved for his kindness, patience, sense of humour and incredible generosity of his time, talent and spirit. His love of his wife first and foremost, family and all people was obvious to those who knew him. Russ was incredibly brave, not only in these last few years, but also in his courageous story of how he followed his passion. He will be sadly missed by all who knew him.
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Besides his loving wife Alison, Russ is survived by his father Douglas Benneweis of Okotoks; brother and sister-in-law, Gregory and Lisa with their children Rachel and Carter of Spokane, WA; sister Lois Benneweis of Spokane; brother-in-law Andrew and his wife Vivianne with their children Julia and Victoria of Calgary; brother-in-law Michael Carroll with his wifeTamiko; and too many friends to list. He was predeceased by his mother Sheila Benneweis and his grandparents.
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Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Luke鈥檚 Catholic Church (Corner of Northmount Drive & Northland Drive N.W., Calgary, AB) on Monday, October 30, 2017 at 1:00 p.m.听 Reception to follow at the church. Condolences may be forwarded through . If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to the Poppy Fund, #1, 4539 鈥� 6th Street N.E., Calgary, AB T2E 3Z6, Telephone: (403) 265-6304 or to The Military Museums, 4520 Crowchild Trail S.W., Calgary, AB听 T2T 5J4 Telephone:听 403-410-2340. Thank you to the staff of the Foothills Medical Centre for providing care.
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In living memory of Dr. Russ Benneweis, a tree will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Park Memorial, 5008 ELBOW DRIVE S.W. Calgary, AB, T2S 2L5, Telephone:听 403-243-8200.
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BENNEWEIS, Dr. Douglas Russell (Russ)
June 8, 1966 鈥� Estevan, Saskatchewan听听
October 22, 2017 鈥� Calgary, Alberta 听听
