In Loving Memory Of Russell L. Bond

Russell was born on May 6, 1927 in the parish of Kars, Kings County, New Brunswick to the late Harold and Gladys (Earle) Bond. He grew up on the Belleisle Bay in the Parish of Kars where he also attended school. In 1950 he married Leola Flewelling from Kingston and they moved to Toronto to begin their family. He was hired by Tip Top Tailor’s company head office and later owned his own business, Russ Bond’s Men’s Shoppe on Danforth Avenue in Toronto. In 1960 the family embarked on a new life as market gardeners in Peterborough from their home and made many friends from the Great Lakes area. He rejoined Tip Top Tailors in 1961 and moved back to the Maritimes with his family settling into Leola’s family homestead in Kingston. They became involved in the Kingston community and Russell was manager of Tip Top Tailors in Saint John until 1967. Over the course of many years he had cultivated an interest in Antiques and left the tailoring business to establish his own shop 'Settler’s Cabin Antiques'. Around this time he entered a new occupation with his family as an auctioneer specializing in the sale of Fine Art & Antiques. His Kingston Auctions became legendary and Russell Bond quickly gained respect, always eager to share knowledge with his auction crowd. He entertained his auction patrons with his antics, quips and stories and was told many times 'Russell, You Could Sell Ice to Eskimos'. With his amazing stamina he conducted marathon auctions for some 40 years, and continued on with his son for the remainder.

During that time he also found time to devote to the Federal NDP Party under then leader Tommy Douglas and offered twice for election in Fundy Royal. He remained politically involved for his lifetime.

Russell held many public positions over the years;
Formed The Kingston Ratepayers Association & assisted with the newly formed Kingston Fire Department.
Served on the MacDonald Consolidated School Board
Seven years as Chairman of the Kiwanis Nursing Home Board in Sussex
Five years with The Region II Hospital Board
Chairman of the Gloria Dei Singers of N.B. for 16 years under the direction of Shirley L.Cooper.
Renewed The Kingston Peninsula Historical Society, helped coordinate The Kingston Loyalist Day’s Parade and played a part in the acquisition & preservation of the 1810 Carter House Historic Property & Baxter property.
Chairman of the Board of Directors for The Queens County Historical Society for 22 years serving on The Tilley House Museum board, overseeing restoration of The Queen’s County Courthouse and relocation of the newly restored Anthony Flower House project at Cambridge.
Worked with the Community Improvement Corporation for the Province of New Brunswick in 1962 to find and develop a suitable site for the existing Kings Landing Historical Settlement.
Chairman of The Sussex Crisis Pregnancy Center Board for seven years, donating his abilities as Auctioneer for their annual fund raising effort.
Volunteer Auctioneer for The Belleisle Home and School Harvest Auction for 36 years being recognized with The Maritimer of the Week Award from ATV News
Volunteer Auctioneer for Ducks Unlimited in Newcastle, Sussex, Fredericton, Grand Manan and Saint John. Arthur Irving, Chairman of Ducks Unlimited Canada, presented him with a bronze ‘Teal Duck’ award.
He donated his expertise as appraiser for many Antiques Roadshows in Grand Falls, Florenceville, Sussex, Gagetown and Bathurst.
Moderator of Codys Baptist Church
Instructed a Junior Choir for several years in Codys

After moving to Codys in 1976, Russell and Leola became active members of the community. They were involved in their local church summer programs, outreach ministry. Russell was often called upon to sing solos for weddings, funerals and any local community fund raising program. He loved to perform and he and Leola were often known to create skits and musical programs with little prior notice for any local function. They regularly went to Millcove Nursing Home where Leola played piano and Russell sang and gave simple gospel messages to uplift the residents. They did this for 10 years.

Russell was extremely proud of his paternal Irish lineage and his maternal ancestral title U.E.L. (United Empire Loyalist) He was proudly Canadian, interested in preserving and promoting our Heritage and the beautiful properties of the ‘Picture Province’.

Russell was always ready to provide a commentary or a song; a great optimist, he touched many lives over his long life and he will leave a legacy of caring that will always be remembered.

Russell was very involved with the restoration of the 1818 Anthony Flower House, home of the 19th century painter Anthony Flower. Donations are being accepted for this project on behalf of Russell through Sherwoods Funeral Home