Campbellclanman
Platinum Member
- Joined
- Mar 10, 2007
- Messages
- 15,519
Hi Folks
Paul doesn't get to pop in here as much as he did, but in saying that he regularly pops in and hovers around, throws the odd post down, and that guy is a Tradtional Knife guy as good as anyone through and through.
Paul lost his dad just a day ago, Russell Hilborn.
Russell was a great guy and I met up with him a couple of times when visiting Paul in North Dakota.
Russell was 91 when he passed away, he came from a family where his Mum had 14 children and pretty much by herself she raised these kids.
Paul has told me stories of the hardships they faced when young, Tuberculosis had Paul's Dad in a Hospital home for - forgive me as I am not sure but I think it was over a year or two years!
Russell in the 50's was a brilliant Boxer as an amateur boxer before he got into the Golden Gloves Russell never lost a fight and was the holder of the Golden Gloves, he retired from Boxing as he saw a more stable future for his family in running a business in those days, he never suffered a defeat.
Paul sent me a video of Russel only a couple of years ago with Russell on the Swivel Sped Ball - Wow!! he still had it down pat!
I remember looking at Russell, he would have been 84 or 85 years old, folks Russell's shoulders were so so broad, I haven't seen that on a man that age, there was no droop at all- quite a remarkable man, I asked Russell who he thought was THE best Boxer of all time, the immediate answer was Ali, I asked whether he thought Tyson might have eaten him up if they met in both their primes- no...no was the answer.
Russell was married to Marlys and that Lady is a pure sweetheart, the couple lived in Valley City for the summer and shot down to the warmer climate during Winter where they had a house as well, Russell worked hard, darned hard, he was that generation of man where he worked hard, saved hard and built an impressive business and future for himself and especially his family, Russell installed this into his children,and it shows in Paul.
Russell over the years built up an amazingly successful business called Empire Furniture, I think he also owned other businesses.
Paul is an Apple that did not fall too far from that Tree, and Paul and his lovely Wife Nanc purchased the furniture business from the previous owner and took it over and turned it into something quite amazing- I think Russell was extremely proud of them both to have done such a remarkable job turning that around into a great success.
A few photos...
Marlys, myself and Russell and of course wee Lucy
Out to Lunch with Paul, Nanc, JC ( Marlys's son and Paul's very good friend) and opposite me Russell
The terrible alzheimer's took Russell, but that man fought hard, it never turned him into anything nasty, he was still always kind and polite and a bit of an outrageous flirt.
Nanc ( Paul's wife ) is an absolute darling of a Human being and she has seen her own Mum be taken by this curse, and is one of those special few who have that gift who take care of the sick or dying almost like an Angel, Paul is lucky to have this wonderful Lady and she no doubt along with Paul supported and Loved Russell right through, here is Russell in a care home with his hero.
Paul was / is SUCH a great son to his Dad and hand in hand they went through that journey together...
The last time I drove away from Russell and Marlys's place I felt that agonizing sadness, I really, really liked that man.
My thoughts and Prayers go out Marlys, Paul, Nanc and of course their boys Gage and Beau, and to Russell's sons, one of whom Russell I am sure has met up with again, his boy Tad.
Paul doesn't get to pop in here as much as he did, but in saying that he regularly pops in and hovers around, throws the odd post down, and that guy is a Tradtional Knife guy as good as anyone through and through.
Paul lost his dad just a day ago, Russell Hilborn.
Russell was a great guy and I met up with him a couple of times when visiting Paul in North Dakota.
Russell was 91 when he passed away, he came from a family where his Mum had 14 children and pretty much by herself she raised these kids.
Paul has told me stories of the hardships they faced when young, Tuberculosis had Paul's Dad in a Hospital home for - forgive me as I am not sure but I think it was over a year or two years!
Russell in the 50's was a brilliant Boxer as an amateur boxer before he got into the Golden Gloves Russell never lost a fight and was the holder of the Golden Gloves, he retired from Boxing as he saw a more stable future for his family in running a business in those days, he never suffered a defeat.
Paul sent me a video of Russel only a couple of years ago with Russell on the Swivel Sped Ball - Wow!! he still had it down pat!
I remember looking at Russell, he would have been 84 or 85 years old, folks Russell's shoulders were so so broad, I haven't seen that on a man that age, there was no droop at all- quite a remarkable man, I asked Russell who he thought was THE best Boxer of all time, the immediate answer was Ali, I asked whether he thought Tyson might have eaten him up if they met in both their primes- no...no was the answer.
Russell was married to Marlys and that Lady is a pure sweetheart, the couple lived in Valley City for the summer and shot down to the warmer climate during Winter where they had a house as well, Russell worked hard, darned hard, he was that generation of man where he worked hard, saved hard and built an impressive business and future for himself and especially his family, Russell installed this into his children,and it shows in Paul.
Russell over the years built up an amazingly successful business called Empire Furniture, I think he also owned other businesses.
Paul is an Apple that did not fall too far from that Tree, and Paul and his lovely Wife Nanc purchased the furniture business from the previous owner and took it over and turned it into something quite amazing- I think Russell was extremely proud of them both to have done such a remarkable job turning that around into a great success.
A few photos...
Marlys, myself and Russell and of course wee Lucy
Out to Lunch with Paul, Nanc, JC ( Marlys's son and Paul's very good friend) and opposite me Russell
The terrible alzheimer's took Russell, but that man fought hard, it never turned him into anything nasty, he was still always kind and polite and a bit of an outrageous flirt.
Nanc ( Paul's wife ) is an absolute darling of a Human being and she has seen her own Mum be taken by this curse, and is one of those special few who have that gift who take care of the sick or dying almost like an Angel, Paul is lucky to have this wonderful Lady and she no doubt along with Paul supported and Loved Russell right through, here is Russell in a care home with his hero.
Paul was / is SUCH a great son to his Dad and hand in hand they went through that journey together...
The last time I drove away from Russell and Marlys's place I felt that agonizing sadness, I really, really liked that man.
My thoughts and Prayers go out Marlys, Paul, Nanc and of course their boys Gage and Beau, and to Russell's sons, one of whom Russell I am sure has met up with again, his boy Tad.
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