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Patrick Russnak (Lee)
May 28, 1972 - August 28, 2024
Tribute
Patrick Lee Russnak
May 28, 1972 – August 28, 2024
Patrick left us suddenly, while pursuing his dream, having recently purchased a beautiful property near Osoyoos BC for him and his two dogs, Blacky and Bronson. He sold his home of many years in Parksville, on Vancouver Island, and had great plans for the new place, complete with camping spaces for visitors.
Patrick was born in Calgary, where he went to school until grade 7. As a child he loved playing with Lego, taking things apart and putting them back together, spending time across the street at Stanley Park (often with his cousins who lived close by), building forts, bicycling, swimming, skating, skateboarding, and tobogganing. At the cabin he loved building fires and playing with frogs and mostly, his Tonkas. The family moved to Balzac, Alberta at the end of 1983 and in the Fall of ’84 he attended George McDougall and then Bert Church High School in Airdrie. Here Patrick made a number of life-long friends. At this time, skateboarding, skiing, then snowboarding became favourite activities he enjoyed with his friends. In his earlier years, he worked in downtown Calgary at a few restaurant kitchens, encouraging his love of gourmet food, which became a skill he shared with many he cooked for. He attended SAIT for Instrumentation and survey courses that helped him begin working with seismic crews and later followed his good friend, Phil Hines, into becoming a Pipeline Field Engineer, working his way into his own successful business.
Patrick loved his work; he enjoyed the crews, the places, and people he met along the way, as well as the many challenges working in the field encountered, often in freezing temperatures. It was a tough job, but he loved being outside, the variety of the jobs, and getting things done with his head and hands. He worked on site doing pipe installations, he was between the office engineer and the installation crew, making things work. He was instrumental in constructing many of Alberta’s pipelines over the past 20+ years.
Patrick’s passions included camping, golfing, boating, snowboarding, motorcycles, cars, his dogs; additionally, he was a mathematician from an early age, a woodworker, he taught himself how to play guitar and drums and made sure he learned something new every day. He reliably performed his tasks with integrity, and, of course, always ensured things were done ‘the right way’; he never shied away from a challenge. Patrick overcame many obstacles in his life. He had a big heart for people, always quick to help friends or family when needed. Patrick’s adopted family whom he met on the island, a big part of his life, were supportive and helpful during his working years and in his new adventure, reflecting back on his character.
Everyone will have their special memories of Patrick. Our hearts are broken that he was not able to finish his dream, yet we are grateful that he found true happiness (and much learning) in his last days.
Patrick was predeceased by his parents, Edward John Russnak and Inge Hemmersbach, his uncles Hans and Willie Russnak, Uncle Steve Wenzel, cousins Barb Gurtler, and Kevin Wenzel. Patrick will be greatly missed by his son Jacob, his sister Petra and brother-in-law Warren of Calgary, numerous cousins, aunts, all of his very close friends – Chris, Eric, Phil, Craig, Michelle, Jordan, Warren, Chancellor, Daven and all those who met him along the way.
An informal memorial will be held at a later date.
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From: Nunes-Pottinger Funeral Service & Crematorium Ltd.
The Nunes-Pottinger Funeral Service & Crematorium Staff send our condolences to family and friends.
Service Schedule
Private service arrangements have been made.
Memorial Gifts
The family has not designated a preferred charity at this time.
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