Russell Stephen Kupin

I owe everything to my creator

“I have lived in The Goodness of God”

Russell was born on a stormy day in Lloydminster, Saskatchewan. He wrote in his Life Story that had he been born just a few blocks to the west, he would have been a native Albertan. Russ’ father, Michael (Mike) Kupin, who was born on November 18, 1900, was born in a small Austrian village, which is now located in Ukraine. Mike immigrated to Canada as a teenager to avoid a hard life from constant turmoil in Europe. Russ’ mother Anne Zaychowsky, whose parents also immigrated to Canada in the early 1900’s from Ukraine, was born in Saskatchewan in 1917. Mike and Anne eventually met in Lloydminster, SK and were married June 23, 1935.

Russ had two older brother’s, Peter, born in 1936, and Ronald (Ronnie), born in 1940. Shortly after Russ’ birth in 1945, Mike and Anne bought a small shop in nearby Vermillion, AB, and that’s where Russ spent his young life, before attending the University of Alberta for both his Engineering degree, and then for his MBA. Russ spent every day after school helping at his parent’s shoe repair store, as well as at their eventual second shop next door, a grocery store. Russ also spent time helping a local farmer and driving a gravel truck for extra pay, so that he could attend university someday.

In 1949, Russ’ brother Ronald drowned in the nearby Vermillion River. This was an incredibly difficult time for the whole family. However, the local Alliance church reached out to Anne and the boys with all the help and support that they could, and Anne accepted Jesus as her saviour soon after. She was diligent in telling her sons the Gospel Message, and Russ’ also accepted Jesus at a young age and then was baptized at age 12.

As Russ became an adult and went off to the U of A for school, he had many other interests, like Curling for the University, and trying out for the Alberta Golden Bears football team, who was coached by the legendary Clare Drake. One other interest Russ had was in a cute teenager, also from Vermillion, whose name was Merna. After a couple of years of dating, Russ and Merna were married September 2, 1967, and moved into a rental apartment in Edmonton together. It was at this time that Russ and Merna had their first child, a son Stephen.

Although Russ was very happy with the educational degrees that he obtained in university, architecture and construction were his first loves. Russ loved building things and working on projects around the house throughout his life. He and a business partner built a new home in St. Albert together, and through the sale of this home, he was able to put a down payment on his and Merna’s first house together. Soon after, two daughters were born to Russ and Merna; Joelle and Sherri.

Through the years, Russ worked hard to build a good career in the Utility sector, then moving to the Oil and Gas sector. This move brought them to Calgary, where they lived the rest of their lives. Russ quickly rose to the top, eventually running the Alberta & Southern Gas Company, and later as a consultant, establishing and then facilitating the sale of Keyspan Canada, which is now named Keyera Corp. currently listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange. Russ’ career was something that he was not only very proud of, but also very humbly grateful for, recognizing that he would have nothing without the grace and goodness of God in his life. During this period, each of Russ children were married; Stephen to Corinne Siemens, Joelle to Drew Persram, and Sherri to Travis Patzer.

As Russ moved into retirement years, he was blessed with five granddaughters; Kayle, Mckenna and Ellerie (born to Stephen and Corinne), and Danica and Riley (born to Sherri and Travis). Russ thoroughly enjoyed watching each of the granddaughters grow up and loved them dearly.

Russ’ passing came very suddenly on September 8, 2026, 6 months after Merna’s passing. His death came as a shock to many, as Russ lived a very healthy and active life. He was surrounded by his family in the Foothills Hospital, for the final days of his life. Russ is loved deeply, and will be missed greatly by his family, friends, and so many others whose lives he touched.

A Celebration of Life will take place on Thursday, September 17, 2026 1:00pm, at Rock Point Church - Bowridge (12 Bowridge Dr NW, Calgary, AB). In lieu of flowers, gifts in Russ’ honour may be made to Samaritan’s Purse.