Russell Churney

Russell Churney

27th February 2007
Russell Churney
RIP


It is with deep sorrow that we must announce the tragic news that our wonderful friend and colleague, Russell Churney, died on the night of Tuesday 27th February 2007.  He had a valiant struggle with pancreatic cancer which was diagnosed at the end of 2005.  We worked together steadily for ten years - he was my accompanist on my solo shows, he was Musical Director on BIG NIGHT OUT with Sandi Toksvig, and finally became the only male member of Fascinating Aida.  During those ten years, in spite of living in each other's pockets a good deal of the time, we never had a cross word, only laughs and huge artistic understanding. The patience and tolerance were all his.  He was supremely talented, witty, fiercely intelligent, charming, self-effacing, modest and above all, a very nice man.

We take this opportunity to wish his family our deepest and most heartfelt sympathies.

If people would like to make a donation to the RALPH BATES PANCREATIC RESEARCH FUND in Russell's memory, please let us know and we will pass on the information to his family.  This is not an official family request, this is simply a suggestion from me that people who admired Russell[s work might like to follow.  Ralph Bates was an actor who also died of pancreatic cancer, and it seems an appropriate charity for us to sponsor at this time.

The home page for the Ralph Bates Pancreatic Research Fund is at www.ralphbatespcr.org.uk and you can donate at www.ralphbatespcr.org.uk/app/Donate/

Meanwhile, many heartfelt thanks to all who have already sent us messages of condolence.  We have lost a great friend, a wonderful colleague, and an outstanding musician and performer.

Dillie

Webmaster's note:

A form will soon be added to this page to allow visitors to leave their memories of Russell. In the meantime, please e-mail any contributions to me and I will add them to this page.

I remember sitting next to Russell at a late night after-the-show supper once. I can`t remember the city (probably Nottingham or Lincoln) or the restaurant, but I certainly remember one of the most interesting, entertaining and witty dinner companions ever. You would expect to have a lot of laughs in the company of FA and co, and of course we did, but I remember it mostly because hearing Russell talk about about a whole range of musical interests, experiences, and knowledge was fascinating. (sorry no pun intended there). And, in case that makes it sound as though he did all the talking, let me say that I also went home conscious of the fact that he had `given me a good listening to`, because he had been kind, attentive and gently teasing in a way that friends can be, but not everyone manages or bothers to be with a complete stranger they just happen to be sitting next to over a meal. Although I had seen and heard Russell`s performances with FA many times, that was the first and only time I had met him, but it was one of those heart-warming, serendipitous meetings that still makes me smile and remember him with admiration and affection.              
  
  Liz Willetts