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Alexander Michael Cragg Russo
March 1, 1985 - July 7, 2023
Obituary
It is with deep gratitude for his life that we share the passing of Alexander Michael Cragg Russo. March 1st 1985 – July 7th 2023.
Alexander, known also to his pockets of people as Al, Alex, and simply, Russo– was born in Clinton Ontario and grew up locally in the Clinton and Goderich areas, attending Clinton Public School, Central Huron Secondary School, Queen’s and McGill Universities. He ventured West to his home in the Okanagan in 2011 to explore and pursue his passion for wine. Alex was exuberant and passionately authentic, caring, kind and wonderful with eccentric confidence, infectious laughter, and a perfectly crooked smile.
Alex’s humour and expressions of love were complimented by his penchant for needlepoint, bone china, grooner and Belgian-style beer. He loved bright colours and imaginative patterns contributing to an unforgettable dress sense complete with shoes of all types and an international collection unique hats and gold jewellery. Alexander was not shy, not in person, or over the phone or in the kitchen — where he demonstrated an obscure way with herbs and spices, creating highly suspicious yet delicious masterpieces of flavour and texture. Wildly humble and unapologetically authentic he embraced and made space for the uniqueness of others, their tastes and their troubles and proudly exclaimed his love with unparalleled frequency and intonation.
On July 3rd 2023 Alex asked to be Candace’s husband, unceremoniously and perfectly sweatily snug on their deck overlooking Lake Okanagan. He was complementing her (like he does) as she eye-rolled (as she does), affirming they would and should do everything together, as a team, forever. As a man full of facts about everything, inspired to constantly learn and evolve, it’s important everyone knows that he did not get it wrong, not even close — because of their indivisible souls.
Alexander lived a full life of laughs, adventure, hard work which he made look easy, love which overflowed from his pores as sweat. He left in a justifiably poetic way, after a long chat with his favourite barber while he finished a fresh fade and ensured his clean lines. Alexander joins his brother Daniel (2001) and Aunt Caterina (2022), as three permanent and eternal guardians to those who can no longer touch them.
Alex’s kindness and warmth live on in those who remain, partner Candace- swooning over her bespoke sparkly hardware, parents Michael and Constance Russo, sister Billi-Dawn Chittenden (Sam, Mateos, Kayti) and the extended Russo, Wakely and Treliving families. Alexander’s passion and awesomeness will persist with his carefully curated network of friends in Ontario, BC and across the globe– who became family not limited to his CHSS, the L4E Queens crew, the OSFAM and the people he spent every day with at Le Vieux Pin and LaStella Wineries –his Enotecca family. May we all continue to with inspired, unpretentious, and thoughtful joie de vivre.
Alexander’s reach was immense, and it is only fitting to celebrate his life and love in British Columbia, (live streamed) as well as host services in Ontario- further details to follow. In BC, a public viewing will be held on Saturday July 22, 2023 at 6:00 pm, at Kettle Valley Memorial, 461 Dawson Avenue, Penticton, BC.
We welcome you to join the family to celebrate Alexander’s life on Sunday July 23, 2023 from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm, service starting at 12:00 pm. Naramata Inn, 3625 1st Street, Naramata, BC. Please dress for summer comfort.
Donations ‘In Memory of Alexander Russo’ are appreciated to support unhoused youth and adults in the Goderich and Kelowna areas.
Union Gospel Mission 251 Leon Avenue Kelowna, BC. Kelowna, available: kelownagospelmission.ca/?form=FUNJXFDFMMW
OR
United Way Perth Huron, 32 Erie Street, Stratford, Ontario, available: https://give.unitedway.ca/donate/WSTRAT
Recording of Celebration of Life can be found here:
Condolences
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From: Kettle Valley Memorial Services
The Kettle Valley Memorial staff send our condolences to family and friends.
From: Jesse Collins
Relation: Close friend
Alex, you brought so much love, laughter and joy into our lives. We will remember your bright light forever. Sending love and support to your beautiful fiancé Candace, and your lovely Russo clan, with whom we feel deeply connected to. Love Jesse, Wade and Olive xo
From: Cherrie Sit
Relation: colleague
It was my honor to have met Alex, who was always kind and passionate. He always had a smile on his face wherever he went. And his laughter would fill up the room. May his laughter continue to spread on the other side. My heart goes to his family and loved ones. Keeping him and the family in my prayers….
From: Leslie Ashby
Relation: Friend of family
Our thoughts and prayers to Candace, Constance & Michael. The girls will forever fondly remember Alex and their time together so many years ago.
Leslie, Amber & Amanda
From: Rawan Kabra
Relation: Close friend
Miss you, love you, and appreciate your existence in my life til the end of time, Alex, my forever friend. We’ll take care of Candace and she’ll take care of us too. Together we’ll keep you and your bright light alive in our hearts, minds, laughter and memories of you.
From: Donita Dyer
Relation: Friend
Dear Michael, Constance, Billi-Dawn & Candace,
I’m finding it hard to find the right words. Your obituary was absolutely fantastic and it is helping to process that Alex is no longer with us.
As parents you did a marvelous job, because he was a stellar human, but you know that already and how much he was liked. I met him while working at Le Vieux Pin & La Stella years ago – we had many great conversations! He was that person who was happy and curious about life while being kind, and empathetic along with having a great palate for wine and food. Picture attached: if I had an idea, he was always game & supportive, this was one of those moments – the “look” of wine thieves 🙂
I hope the Celebration of Life this weekend helps to fill that hole you must all be feeling, as you will be surrounded by some of his best friends, family, and colleagues in a beautiful place. I am unfortunately not able to be there and meet you. But like many friends, I am navigating the shock of this, and with your words – seeing the light of his presence and feeling grateful for the memories.
The world just got a little dimmer, but his personality will shine on forever in our memories.
From: allan spahr
Relation: friend
I started at Le Vieux Pin in 2019 working side by side with Alex, Big Al and Little Al. He taught me so much over the years and I will miss him dearly. His kindness, his knowledge, his humour, and all those colorful socks is what makes it impossible for him to be forgotten. Without him I am broken hearted and now “Just Al”. Allan and Wendy Spahr
From: peggy giff
Relation: Through our Son Christopher Giff they went to Queens together.
To the Russo Families , Candace and all who loved Alex! We are Christopher Giff’s Parents Brian and Peggy Giff .We had the pleasure of meeting Alex in the winter of 2018.We were in B C to attend the arrangements in the death of my Beautiful sister.Christopher told Alex we were there and he graciously invited us for a tour in the middle of winter .What a Beautiful young man we met that day.He was so kind, full of knowledge and so eager to show us around his winery . We certainly could see that he was very proud of it as well .We were extremely saddened with the news of Alex’s passing and just wanted to share a nice story of Alex and how he touched our hearts and gave us a memory we have never forgotten.You have raised such a Beautiful young man who seems to to have touched many hearts .Please accept our condolences ,Thoughts and Prayers ..Brian and Peggy Giff
From: Amy Shortreed
Relation: Friend
I met Alex one summer in Bayfield Ontario at the Black Dog – Alex of course, was a favourite patron as he was hilarious, knew his food and wine and absolutely lit up the pub everytime he came in. My deepest condolences to his family and friends. This is a tremendous loss. I will take the time to eat the food and drink the wine and share more jokes.
Service Schedule
Viewing
Date & Time:
July 22, 2023
Beginning at 6:00pm
Location:
Kettle Valley Memorial
461 Dawson Avenue
Penticton, BC Canada V2A 8E2
461 Dawson Avenue
Penticton, BC Canada V2A 8E2
Celebration of Life
Date & Time:
July 23, 2023
Beginning at 11:00am
Location:
Naramata INN
3625 1st Street
Naramata, BC Canada
Recorded service can be viewed here: https://www.youtube.com/live/7RkO0wU4BF0?feature=share
3625 1st Street
Naramata, BC Canada
Memorial Gifts
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