Russell Bannock – January 4, 2020

By
Sandy Lindsay
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Russell Bannock was a Canadian hero who celebrated his 100th birthday on November 1, 2019.
Mr. Bannock died on Saturday, January 4th 2020.
He was a Mosquito pilot during World War II and, following the war, he joined De Havilland Aircraft as their Chief Pilot and rose to become President of the company.
The famed Mosquito plane had close ties to Southampton and, in 2017, a special heritage plaque was unveiled.
Mr. Bannock was very pleased with the effort that Saugeen Shores had taken to recognize the Mosquito and its contribution to the war effort.  He wrote a Letter to the Editor at Saugeen Times, following the unveiling, expressing his appreciation and is another that we will treasure as part of history.
He was also a very close friend of Mr. Hamilton (a Toronto Lawyer) who has a cottage on the North Shore.
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A family tribute to Russell Bannock

The Bannock Family is saddened to report that Russ died on Saturday, January 4th after a brief stay in North York General Hospital. He was born November 1st, 1919 in Edmonton, Alberta. He was predeceased by his wife, Norah(nee Quinn) in 2014. Russ is survived by his four Children, Paul (Carla), Anne (Steve Smith), Michael and John (Martha); his eleven grandchildren and five great grandchildren who have all been a constant in his life.
He served in the Royal Canadian Air Force in World War II with distinction and retired as a Wing Commander, DSO, DFC and Bar.

Russ joined De Havilland Aircraft Company right after WW II as Chief Test Pilot and retired from De Havilland as President and CEO. He founded Bannock Aerospace as an Aircraft Leasing and Brokerage Company and actively worked well into his seventies. He was an enthusiastic participant in many Ontario and Quebec Sports Clubs. He was an active Golfer and Fly Fisherman and Curled right up to the weeks before his death.

Russ was proud to be a member of the Canadian Aviation Hall of Fame, The Order of Ontario and the French Legion of Honor.

In his nineties, he was an excellent caregiver for our Mother and continued as a Volunteer at Cummer Lodge after her death.
The Memorial Mass will take place on Friday, January 10th at 11.00am, Blessed Sacrament Church, 24 Cheritan Ave. Toronto, Ont. M4R1S4 (just South of Lawrence on Yonge St.)

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