Of Clifford passed away on Saturday, December 30, 2023 in his 89th year. Husband of the late June (Downard) Hartley. Father of Lynn Stodolak of Clifford, and Lois Huffman of Hamilton, and remembered by his 4 grandchildren. Remembered also by his nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his daughter Lori Hartley, son-in-law Casimir Stodolak, parents Wesley and Freda (Sinclair) Hartley, brother Bruce Hartley, and sister Berneda McKinnon. Russell was born in 1935 in Honeywood. As a young boy, his dad had a small barn in the backyard where Russell raised a couple of piglets and some chickens that he bartered for with the local farmers. He will be remembered for his life-long love of bartering, and for always having a bit of money in his pocket. Russell started working at age 16 at a small company called Spartan Constructions, where he worked on sewers and watermains. He moved on to work for Ambro Construction in Brampton, driving dump trucks and then bulldozers and loaders. He obtained his Hoisting Engineer license to operate cable backhoes and cranes. For a while, Russel worked at St. Lawrence Cement Company, operating a shovel front at their quarry in Coburg. He then returned to Ambro Construction where he worked as a backhoe operator until retirement. From a young age, Russell loved draft horses. Along with his brother Bruce, he played with ‘broomstick horses” made by his Dad. He and June bought a farm, south of Durham, and they began full-time farming. Pigs, cattle, and a team of draft horses, along with numerous other farm animals, made this farm a fun place to visit. The funeral service was held at the Hardy-Lee Funeral Home, Harriston, on Friday, January 5, 2024 at 1:30pm with visitation from 12:00 noon until time of service. Spring interment in Maplewood Cemetery, Varney. Memorial donations to Canadian Cancer Society would be appreciated. Online condolences may be left at www.hardyleefuneralhome.com
