DIPAOLO, JOHN EARL RUSSELL 1921 - 2002 "Forte e gentile" John Earl Russell DiPaolo of Minto passed away on Thursday the 4th of April 2002, at the Queens North Health Complex. He came into this life in Sydney Mines, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, proud first son of the late Antonio DiPaolo and Catherine (Williams). He moved to Minto in 1933 where he followed his father in the mines where he worked until the outbreak of the war in 1939. Enlisting in the Carleton & York Regiment, the 7th of September 1939, he attained the rank of A/C.S.M. As an instructor, he provided young New Brunswick infantry recruits with the skills needed for their survival. In 1944 he returned home to his family to resume mining . He was devoted to people; his gentle character and strong determination led him down many varied paths: a salesman, a commissionaire at the Grand Lake Provincial Park. He elevated the spirits of those of the Holy Rosary Parish and those of the sick in the Minto Hospital. He loved the woods, and spent much time planting trees for the Department of Natural Resources. A regular member of Branch #12 of the Royal Canadian Legion, and an honorary member of the Knights of Columbus, Father Dysart Council No. 3502, he was a devout member of the Holy Rosary Church in Minto, New Brunswick. Our strong and gentle father (forte e gentile) was proud of his Italian and Scottish heritage. His paternal ancestry, from Brittolli, (Province of Pescara) Abruzzo, Italy was reflected in his love of gardening and landscaping. His maternal ancestry from Ingonish, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia instilled in him a love of hunting and fishing and the gift of story telling. True to the Cape Breton tradition, he entertained friends and family members with countless tales of his fascinating and humorous life encounters. He leaves behind his loving wife of 59 years Frances (Rouse) DiPaolo of Minto, NB, two daughters Linda Caron (Gerald) of Grand Bay-Westfield, NB and Paulette St. Germain (Ken) of Blissfield, NB; two sons, Tony DiPaolo (Francine) of Allison, NB and Randy DiPaolo (Joyce) of St. Stephen, NB; eight grandchildren, Todd (Terri), Adam, Emily, Anna, John, James DiPaolo, Craig and Steven Hambrook (Tina); and a great granddaughter Cameron Rain Hambrook; a sister Mary (DiPaolo) Allega of Burlington, ON; several nieces and nephews. Russell follows his predeceased parents, brother William DiPaolo, and sister Virginia (Jean) Tyler. He rested at the Minto Funeral Home where on the 5th of April, he was ceremoniously honored by his former comrades, members of the Royal Canadian Legion, and Father Peter Stephen. His life and spirit was celebrated in a mass of Christian Burial conducted by Father Peter Stephen at the Holy Rosary Church in Minto, NB. on April 6th, 2002. Musical inspiration was offered by Joey Knight. A reception and celebration of Russell's life followed, prepared by the Catholic Women's League. Following cremation, Father Peter Stephen conducted an internment ceremony on the 8th of April, 2002, at Holy Rosary Catholic Cemetery, Minto, NB were Russell's remains were laid to rest next to his beloved father Antonio. Pallbearers were Gary DiPaolo, James DiPaolo, Stephen Hiltz, John DiPaolo, Adam DiPaolo and Steven Hambrook. Russell's family received many spiritual and floral tributes from family, friends as well as from the following: staff of Crown Prosecutor's offices in Saint John, Fredericton and St. Stephen, Southwest Miramichi Progressive Conservative Association, staff of Departments of Solicitor General, Human Resources and Development and Justice; Department of Justice, Public Prosecution Branch, NB Crown Prosecutor's Association, the Honourable Norm Betts and wife Bonnie Betts, staff of the Atlantic Institution, Renous, NB, staff of Family Services Saint John Inc., Women of the Decade, Knights of Columbus Council #3502, Royal Canadian Legion Branch #12, and Moncton Italian Association. Numerous donations were made to Queen's North Health Complex, Holy Rosary Cemetery Fund and the Heart and Stroke Foundation. We offer special thanks to Dr. Gordon Haynes, the dedicated nursing staff and all support personnel of the Queen's North Health Complex, who helped our father both in body and spirit during his difficult ordeal. Thank you, to Gloria and Bruce Hoag, Trudy and Henry Pettipas and Angela and Myles Dufour for their understanding ways. We are also grateful for the generosity of the CWL, all our relatives, friends and community who have been and continue to be so supportive during this difficult time. They reflect in kind the gentleness and the strength, which our father offered to so many in the course of his life.