Obituary of Russell Phillip Lee Hadley

Russell Phillip Lee Hadley passed away on June 28, 2026 at the age of 78 after a prolonged stay in the RK MacDonald Nursing Home in Antigonish NS. Born on February 14, 1948 in Sydney, he was the son of the late Stephen Morrison Hadley and Margaret Irene Hadley of Port Shoreham NS. 

He was raised on the Family Farm in Port Shoreham that bordered on MacPherson’s Lake. Russell worked the farm while growing up with his siblings, on whom he loved to play jokes. Russell loved to hunt and fish, but also had a kind heart towards animals in nature too, like the two foxes that he talked to that would come to his window when he lived in Guysborough. His love for books and history kept him busy for hours. Russell was a home builder, who built and repaired many homes in Guysborough County. He worked for years in Halifax at Hadley Brothers Construction. Many hours were also spent in the forest cutting down trees. Russell had a big heart, enjoyed talking with older people, hearing their stories and helping them whenever he could. He had many friends and loved to have a drink with them and talk about the good old days. 

He is survived by his daughters Janet Morris of Cochrane AB and Karen Murray of Swift Current SK. Siblings and their spouses, Nancy (Wayne) Hart of Boylston; Judy (Rick) Jones of Dartmouth NS; Janet (Pierre) Gilbert of Montreal; Ruth (Barry) Smith of Hammonds Plains NS:  sister-in-law Johane Hadley of Port Shoreham NS; ex-wife Heather Toole of Guysborough NS; as well as grand children, nieces and nephews. 

Predeceased by his son Duncan of Maple Creek SK, Brother Billy of Port Shoreham NS, ex-wife Lucille (Mestdagh) Hadley of Maple Creek SK. 

In keeping with Russell’s wishes there will be no service at this time. A family graveside service will be held at a later date.

In the memory of Russell the family requests that you do a kind deed for someone else, have a drink in memory of the times you spent with him, or share a funny story about Russell with pictures if you have them.