Obituary of Donald John Russell
Donald J. Russell of Lake Charlotte, Nova Scotia passed away on September 3, 2025 at age of 83 at Dartmouth General Hospital. Don was a creative outdoor enthusiast who became a beloved teacher, husband, father, grandfather and community leader who loved his puns and always thought there was a use for nearly anything (and never threw anything away).
Don was born in Toronto in 1941 to George and Eleanor (Smith), the middle brother to Robert and Edward. He spent much of his adolescence outdoors with the Scouts and Rovers and at summer camps, and showed off his skills at the photo club at Agincourt Collegiate Institute. After high school, he thought he would continue the outdoor adventure by joining the army’s cadet officer training program. He tried signals then armoured corps, but a year later headed to Nova Scotia in 1962 to do a bicycle tour of the Cabot Trail (on a 3-speed) with the Canadian Youth Hostel Association.
In Nova Scotia he became an avid scuba diver and enrolled at Dalhousie in 1963. He had a short stint on the varsity football team but took on being chief photographer and editor of the newspaper and yearbook. To pay his way, Don did photo portraits including working for Sherman Hines and did underwater photography for the NS Research Institute. Somewhere along the line he got accepted into the London School of Film, but after spending a Christmas in England he realized he could not afford it.
Don met Diane Coolen as counsellors for a summer arts program at Camp Kadimah. Diane was a phys ed teacher and had a Mustang, while Don was the struggling student. They married in 1968 and crewed on a 48’ sailing boat for 6 weeks as their honeymoon down to Norfolk, Virgina. Nine months later their first child, David, arrived.
After completing his Commerce degree in 1969, Don started the Simpson-Sears manager trainee program and moved his young family to St. Catherine’s, Ontario. During his time as a manager in the department store, Diane spotted a newspaper ad: “8 hardy men needed: $1 day teachers” at St John’s School for Boys in Alberta. It involved epic 1000 mile voyageur style canoe trips through the Rockies - his boys revelled in being the only crew that did not tip - 35 mile snowshoe races and raising teams of husky sled dogs. One of the subjects he taught was history - a topic he keenly embraced through maps and interactive learning.
Don’s newfound love for teaching led the family back to Nova Scotia where he would complete his Bachelor of Education at Dal - and later a Masters - while Diane taught at Harbourside elementary in Owl’s Head. He spent the summer of 1972 with Frontier College as a labourer teacher with a Newfie CP Rail gang in Northern Ontario before starting his formal teaching career also at Harbourside. There he had a photo club, started the Order of Good Cheer and took students on ambitious field trips. First daughter Dawn Marie was born on Christmas Day in 1974 and Debbie was a summer baby two and a half years later.
In 1975, Don became principal at Sheet Harbour elementary but missed being in the classroom so moved to Robert Jamison elementary in 1984. There he became very interested in having students involved in theatre, first Shakespeare plays then nearly 20 years of supporting large musical productions and many dedicated volunteers. Don produced the Wizard of Oz, Sound of Music, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, Peter Pan - to name a few. Don always wanted to ensure all students were engaged in his class. Once the School Board Superintendent asked him in front of his class how many were special need students. “All of them”, he replied.
Don took a sabbatical in 1994 when he was accepted by the Canadian Teachers Federation to teach teachers in Nepal for three months. Before coming home he travelled in India, Thailand and Malaysia.
After retiring from teaching in 1997, Don was recruited to work as a campground attendant. He worked 10 summers, enjoying chats with visitors from across Canada and around the world.
At age 70, Don fully retired (finally said Diane). Now they had the opportunity to travel to visit family in Ontario, BC and Australia. There are seven wonderful grandchildren to cherish: Ella, Tallulah, Otis, Piper, Katie, Jarrah and Owen.
Of course during all of this, Don was active in the community. He was a charter member of the Musquodoboit Harbour and District Lions Club and he had leadership roles with Scouts Canada. More locally, Don helped create the Lake Charlotte Leisure Planning Community which led to the formation of Memory Lane Heritage Village where once again he was in costume as a teacher.
Fondly known as the Old Chap, life with Don was never dull. Don is survived by his wife Diane (Coolen), David (Tracey Adams + Ella, Tallulah, Otis and Piper), Dawn (Simon Green + Jarrah and Debbie (Charlie Gibney + Katie and Owen).
Donations may be made in Don’s name to a charity of your choice or to the Twin Oaks Hospital Foundation in Musquodoboit Harbour. https://www.twinoaksbirches.ca/ways-to-give Arrangements have been entrusted to Serenity Funeral Home, 198 Coldbrook village Park Drive, Coldbrook, NS (902) 679-2822.
