Monday, April 24, 2023
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I was so sorry to hear about the recent passing of my friend Russell Love. I heard about him and I thought I should share a story with you in his honor.
Russel and I spent a lot of time together when he was still doing small engine repairs. Most of what I owned was pretty tough and tired as Lisa and I had just started our family, (money was a tad hard to find) and so I saw him often to keep my old mowers, saws and such running.
I really enjoyed those times with him as he shared tech wisdom with me and many "they don't make them like they used to" comments, which I agreed with.
I now share that knowledge with my son and those that are willing to listen to me, LOL!
Russell was a VERY talented small engine mechanic, an absolutely incredible self-taught musician and just a great guy to be around.
He and I shared a love of big old cars from the 70s and 80s and often our conversations landed there. Years ago, I bought his old 79 Parisienne for parts. (I have a 1978 Parisienne myself) When I picked it up, I noticed a old vanity license plate in the back window that said "If it ain't country it ain't music!!"
That statement that fit Russell to a T.
Last year when I finally scrapped that car, I rediscovered that vanity plate and set it aside. My intension was to run it over to him as an excuse to have a visit with my old friend. It rode around with me in my car for weeks, as I hoped to find a moment to pop over to Moscow for that overdue chat.
I never got there.
Now, in a positive note, I did get to see Russell before he passed. As fate may have it, a couple weeks ago I was at BMO in Verona and I bumped into Darlene. We had a brief chat and she told me Russell was in the car! I was able to visit with him for a few minutes, and I in the conversation I happened to mention this vanity plate to him.
He chuckled as he recalled this old plate and his old car and said "yes please drop by that would be nice" with his classic grin.
For some odd reason that day I didn't have that old plate with me to give to him. At the time I thought to myself "grrrrr...! After weeks of driving around with it, why is it not with me today when I finally see him?"
I now know why.
I wasn't meant to return it.
I was meant to keep it as a momento of my friend, and our connection.
So I will put it on my garage wall instead, along with other mementos of friends, relatives and times gone
by.
I will remember our chats and how once while visiting Russell and Darlene he let me hold that old Sears guitar he'd had for a lifetime...as he shared with me the story about it.
I listened to him, wishing I could play like him, to be on stage as people dance in front of of the band. Playing that guitar as they mingle, laugh and connect with one another as a community.
Goodbye Russell, you were a quiet man on a quiet street who became a legend in Stone Mills Township without really trying to do so. This was yet another of your talents I suppose.
The Fenwicks are thinking of you and your family right now.
I hope the place you are in right now has a beautiful crystal chandelier, and you are singing all about it, to a huge audience in an old hall with wooden floors.
Thanks Russell, you will be missed
