RUSSEL PAUL ZERR Obituary (1945 - 2020)

Russel Paul Zerr September 17, 1945 - January 27, 2020 Russ passed peacefully at home on January 27, 2020 after a very long and heroic battle with cancer. He was born in Kincaid, Saskatchewan. Shortly after, at the age of 1, his family moved to Surrey, where he grew up. He is survived by his loving wife Coreen; sons Rob (Julia); Ken (Sandy); Darren (Ashley); and their families; brothers Richard; Ronald (Micheal); Terry (Marg); sister Dianne (Pete Kehler). Russ is predeceased by his parents Irene and Aton Zerr and sister Shirley. Russ started with the Ministry of Transportation as a young man in Quesnel, BC and quickly moved into highway construction moving around the province building roads in every corner of BC; finally moving into major projects such as the Okanagan Connector and then moved to Nanaimo in 1991 to be Construction Manager of the Vancouver Island Highway project. He retired from the Ministry in 2001 and after a few years went back to work as a consultant for CMS Focus as Construction Manager of the Border Infrastructure project of Highway 10 and 15 on the mainland. After retirement, Russ became a totally devout gardener with a close replica of Butchard Gardens, this included a pond, waterfalls and tons of flowers and vegetables in the backyard. Russ was very proud of his oasis which was splendid and which he tended until a few months prior to becoming bedridden. He tried to groom Coreen with his endeavors but her green thumbs just didn't substitute her quilting fingers. Russ loved golfing and had a swing that made you chuckle but certainly did the job! He loved being on the course and taking on the sunshine. He was always ready for a game of cards and ready for a joke and laugh. Russ and his buddy 'Boo' (the little white doggie portraying to be a monster) were inseparable. Costco and Home Depot shares may drop immensely with the loss of Russ' business and his requirement of multiple quantities of every item. He loved to shop! Celebration of Russ' life will be held Sunday, April 19, 2020 at Nanaimo Golf and Country Club at 1:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to: The BC Cancer Society. Main 101-1537 Hillside Avenue, Victoria, BC V8T 2C1 Phone: 1-800-663-7892