Obituary

It is with deep gratitude for his life that we share the passing of Alexander Michael Cragg Russo. March 1^st 1985 – July 7^th 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 3^rd 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