We Remember
ENSIGN, Russell “Rusty” Stanley Albert
August 15, 1959 — June 13, 2025
It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Russell Stanley Albert Ensign (Rusty), who left us on June 13, 2025, at the age of 65. Rusty was born on August 15th, 1959, in Kelowna, British Columbia. He was the beloved son of Russell and Doreen Ensign, cattle ranchers who moved from Kelowna to West Kelowna in 1962. Rusty was the first grandson of Dr AS Underhill and Joyce Underhill who settled in Kelowna after World War 1 and became prominent community members.
Rusty grew up as a member and president of the Kelowna 4-H Beef Club, he was in the first class to graduate from Mount Boucherie Secondary School in 1977, also as President. His passion for horticulture, farming, and sports led him to pursue further education by travelling to Australia, where he worked first as an ice-skating instructor and hockey coach before moving onto the oil rigs, then the outback cattle station and then to New Zealand working on a sheep station. All along honing his skills as a rugby player, joining teams in each community and later joining the Kelowna Crows Rugby Club on his return in 1982. On May 23,1983 at the age of 23, Rusty suffered from a life changing injury playing in a rugby tournament in Edmonton, Alberta. In 1984, Rusty joined his brothers creating Ensign Bros Sand and Gravel working with them on the successful West Kelowna business. Rusty travelled extensively throughout his whole life, we are proud to say he was an independent world-traveler and plan to continue his legacy.
Throughout his career, Rusty made significant contributions to the community, working on notable projects such as raising funds for the Royal Lepage Place hockey arena, he was on the board for incorporation of the City of West Kelowna, a board member of Lakeview Irrigation and later sat on council for City of West Kelowna where his dedication and expertise was greatly appreciated. He was also involved in many community groups, such as Westbank Kinsmen and People in Motion, which helped bring in building codes to make places more accessible for those who need it. His passion to mentor and guide nonprofit groups, sporting programs and individuals within West Kelowna will be greatly missed.
Beyond his professional achievements, Rusty participated in the Family Farm through his perseverance, spearheading the plantation of the farm’s first vineyard in 2021. Sadly, he won’t be here to enjoy the first crop to be harvested this fall.
Rusty is survived by his loved children, Louis Ensign, Jesse Skipper and Kersty Ensign, his cherished grandchildren Damien, Leland, Coral, Russell and Charlotte Ensign. His siblings and partners, Chris & Sandra Ensign, Shauna & Dr Cam Bakala and Cam & Kim Ensign. He is also remembered fondly by his beloved nieces and nephews, Jaxson (Chantelle, Broox, Parker), Alana (Cole), Mackenzie, Ava (Remy), Darby and Duncan. The memories of the joy he brought to their lives will be held dear by all. He will be deeply missed by everyone who knew him.
Memorial donations may be sent to the Kelowna Crows Jr Rugby.
A service will be held on Saturday, August 9, 2025, at 1:00 pm (PDT), at Springfield Funeral Home, 2020 Springfield Road, Kelowna, BC. If you are unable to attend in person, please join the family online by Livestream at the time of the service (see below), a recording will be made available to view shortly thereafter.
If you wish to send a condolence, post photos, or share a memory, please scroll down the page to the area call “Condolences”.
LIVESTREAM:
Service
Saturday, August 9, 2025, at 1:00 pm (PDT)
Location
SPRINGFIELD FUNERAL HOME
Share with Others:
Kelowna Crows Jr Rugby Link: www.kelownacrows.com
Service Information
Service Details
The service for ENSIGN, Russell “Rusty” Stanley Albert is scheduled for Saturday, August 9, 2025, at 1:00 pm (PDT). Below you will find the map for the service location and the contact information should you have any questions.
Address & Contact for Service Location:
SPRINGFIELD FUNERAL HOME
2020 Springfield Road Kelowna, BC
Phone:
Special Requests:
None.
Funeral Pointers:
Condolences
I had the amazing opportunity to work with Rusty…he was an amazing, courageous man.
My sincere condolences to the Ensign Family. Thought’s and prayers go out to all 🙏
To all the Ensign family our thoughts are with you
Please accept our sincere and heartfelt condolences. Rusty contributed to the well being of our community in so many ways, including as a City Councillor from 2014 to 2018. Rusty was an outstanding community leader and builder, who truly cared for others and uplifted countless lives within our community. Thank you Rusty and rest in peace.
I’m deeply saddened by this news and still trying to process it. But I take comfort in knowing he’s now at peace, watching over us from a higher place. I’ll truly miss the phone calls and the conversations we shared, long after our time working together. He was always a man of integrity and wanting to do the right thing. Rest in peace my friend.
My deepest sympathies to all you Ensigns. I have such great memories of spending time at the farm with all you kids. We’d make the trek over the toll bridge to hang out at your place. Rusty was a good friend to me as a kid and in college. Seems wrong that he’s no longer here. RIP Rusty.
My condolences to the Ensign family. I met Rusty about 25 years ago through a shared interest in the future of our community and the form that its future governance should take. We then served four years together as members of the Westside Governance Committee leading to the eventual incorporation of the City of West Kelowna. While Rusty and I did not always agree on the best way forward, his loyalty to his home and his desire to advance the Westside was never in doubt. My admiration for his courage and determination grew stronger the longer I knew him. His contributions to the form, character and institutions of West Kelowna were remarkable.
We are so sorry to hear about Rusty’s passing. Our thoughts are with you.
I met Rusty in 1981, he was leaning on a bar in a pub in Circular Quay Sydney Australia waiting to board the Fairstar cruise ship. I was also at that pub waiting to board that ship with 3 nursing friends & had checked him out pretty thoroughly. He was larger than life, full of travel stories, cheek & a whole lot of fun particularly on a big boat. . Lovely memories touring some of the islands with him. . We kept in touch & I was so shocked to hear about his rugby accident, such a vital guy cut down in his prime. I traveled to Kelowna to see him with my sister & stayed at the family home, I can still see his Mum dishing up a massive roast dinner. Rusty was in rehab then but that didn’t stop him getting out & about. His friend Jim Wannop was with us one night, Rusty made us wheel him up the front of a long queue at a night club & if my memory serves me well we didn’t pay to get in !
What a loss to all who knew him, my condolences to his family, friends & beyond.
I’m very sorry to hear that Rusty has passed away . I had a huge amount of respect for him . He was a very nice person .
We are so sorry to hear this sad news… may your memories with Rusty, help to soften the sorry during this sad time for your family. Thinking of you, and sending heartfelt hugs your way . With love from, Haven & Bruce, Morgan & Sterling XOXO
Shauna, Cam and family,
Sending my sincere condolences for the loss of your brother! Thinking of you during this difficult time! 💝
So many fond memories of when I was working as his assistant..an amazing, brave man!
To the whole ensign gang, I’m so sorry to hear about Rusty – my late parents Doug and Joanne were as I was good friends with Russ Doreen and the kids (I was the kid back then and had my first cowboys oysters at one of the many branding parties at the ranch, I think I was babysat or had a wild time playing at the ranch with the shepherds by probably every member of the family at one time or another (even cam haha) I hope everyone we have lost are all somewhere together enjoying wide open fries hair and freedom like I did growing up as a child. With a heavy heart and all my love, mark
I’m including a photo I have proudly and with fond memories had up in my family’s house on Manhattan drive – where more than a few glasses of wine Doreen and my mon drank during the girls bridge games, to the glasses of whisky my father and Russ sr. Shared on the deck. Cheers Rusty, I’ hope I see you again some day man
If anyone needs anything give shout 250-212-1033
I am sending my deepest condolences to all the family and friends of Rusty’s along with prayers of love and peace to all. May the Lord embrace him as he did life itself. I am grateful to have known Rusty and worked at their family business with my cleaning company on occasion. It was always such a
pleasure to talk with Rusty too. He will be deeply missed. -Karen Walsh
Dear Rusty’s Family,
My name is Djarudi Habimana , and I am writing from Kigali, Rwanda. Today I learned of Rusty’s passing, and my heart is deeply broken. Please accept my sincere condolences. My prayers are with you, and may God comfort you through this difficult time. I pray that Rusty rests in peace with the angels.
I first met Rusty on LinkedIn in July 2022, and although our friendship was virtual, it quickly became one of the most meaningful relationships of my life. He supported me in ways I will never forget. His kindness helped me complete my high school education, and his guidance gave me the courage to pursue my dreams. To me, he was more than a friend—he was a father figure, a mentor, and a blessing.
For many months, I continued sending him messages through WhatsApp and email- the platforms we always used – hoping he was recovering from his health challenges. When I received no reply, I believed he might be very ill, but I still prayed he would return soon. Learning today that he passed away has left me devastated. I am struggling to accept it.
Rusty and I always talked about the day I would finally meet him in Canada, sit with him, and thank him face-to-face for everything he did for me. It was our shared dream, and it pains me deeply that life did not allow that moment to happen. Still, I hold that hope in my heart — that one day, in another place, I will meet him again.
Rusty touched my life forever. His compassion now lives within the work I do for vulnerable children and families here in Rwanda. His legacy will continue through the lives he changed, including mine.
May God strengthen your family, surround you with peace, and give you comfort.
You are in my thoughts and prayers.
With heartfelt sympathy,
Djarudi Habimana
Kigali, Rwanda