Obituary of Russell "Russ" Hawkins

HAWKINS: Russell Frederick Milton Hawkins, born February 29, 1928 in Brandon, Manitoba, passed away peacefully on January 25, 2018 at the Brandon Regional Health Centre in Brandon. Russell was the third of four sons born to Sidney and Dorothy Hawkins. Russell grew up on the family farm near Nesbitt until 1945 when he moved with his family to the old Tooke house at 522 - 7th Street. Russell built his own family home on the south half of that property and would spend the next 57 years of his life at 528 - 7th Street before moving to Lions Manor in 2008. Russell attended Delton School to Grade 9, then moved on to Nesbitt High School. After completing his schooling, Russell worked in a number of occupations. He was a plasterer at the Brandon General Hospital, worked for Brandon Packers, Western Grocers, CPR as a switch-man, construction building houses and working on the Rivers Dam and the Kemnay Bridge Overpass on #1 Highway. In May of 1959, he got a job as a summer relief worker at the Brandon Mental Health Center. In the fall of 1959, Russell entered the 3 year Psychiatric Nurse's Training Program. He worked hard, studying 2-3 hours a night. The hard work paid off, and Russell received the highest marks in his class and went onto a 27 year career as a Registered Psychiatric Nurse, the last 15 of those years spent as a Nursing Supervisor. In 1947, Russell was skating at Central Community Centre where he saw a young woman in a blue coat. After a few inquiries, he found out her name was Jean Dawson. After a 4 year courtship, they married on September 3, 1951 at St. Paul's United Church in Brandon. Russell was a faithful churchgoer and together with Jean met many friends through their United Church family. Russell and Jean raised 4 boys whom they were immensely proud of – Douglas (Rosemarie) of Kelowna, Bruce (Elaine) of Brandon, Jim (Petchie) of Killarney and Rob (Vicki) of Brandon. What began as Russell wanting his son, Douglas, to join the Cub Scouts, eventually turned into a 40 year career with Scouting Canada. Russell helped to shape the lives of many young boys over the years, and is fondly remembered by all who had the opportunity to be in his troop. Always a team, Jean joined soon after to help out and spent 35 years as a cub leader by her husband's side. Although never a formally trained carpenter, Russell used the skills he learned to build both his family home and later a new cabin at Sandy Lake where they enjoyed many summers with family and friends. Upon retirement from the Brandon Mental Health Centre in 1986, Russell and Jean spent their winters in Arizona and their summers at Sandy Lake. Everywhere they went, Russ and Jean built a community of friends. Russ will be deeply missed by his wife, Jean, his sons, daughters-in-law, grandchildren and great grandchildren, brother Walter in Surrey, B.C and many nieces and nephews as well as the many friends they made throughout the years. Russell was pre-deceased by his brother, Douglas in 1934, parents Sidney and Dorothy, niece Shirley Philp, sisters-in-law Hazel, Ivy and Myrtle Hawkins and brother, Harold Hawkins. A Service of Remembrance to honour Russ's life will be held at Central United Church, 327 - 8th Street, Brandon, MB on Saturday, February 3, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. Milo Spooner Craig and Rev. Doug Craig officiating. Placement of the urn will take place in the Central United Church Columbarium. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Russ may be made to Diabetes Canada, Unit A1-800 Rosser Ave., Brandon, MB, R7A 6N5.