Craig Russell 1983-2007
Posted by Paul Woodhouse at February 8th, 2007
I’ve no idea how to say this other than just saying it:
On Sunday, during a game of football, Craig collapsed and died.
He was 23.
It really does go without saying that everybody at Butler Sheetmetal sends their deepest and heartfelt sympathies to Craig’s Mum and Dad, Carole and Barry.
If memory serves me right, Craig had been with us for around two years and right from the off he was part of the fixtures and fittings. You don’t just get away with turning up and doing your job in a quiet corner, you have no choice but to get on with everybody. And Craig managed that with ease.
Yes, he was a bit of a cocky bugger, but he was never arrogant with it. He was also a bit of a cheeky swine but a winning smile can work wonders. You could never fail to be impressed by his confidence, enthusiasm and eagerness to learn and get on with the job. And, it must be said, one of the first things he learnt how to do was cannily keep the change on a chippy run.
It took John a while to find the right guy in Craig and he never once regretted setting him on. And neither did anybody else. He was equally at home having the piss taken out of him as he was to take the piss in the first place. Or, in local newspaper-speak: ‘he was a bit of a practical joker that always saw the funny side.’
But, Craig was infinitely more than just a work colleague. What used to happen on his and Jasper’s night-time fishing excursions is anyone’s guess, but they used to go on a few of them. I also don’t know whether it was Jasper who influenced Craig’s tale-telling (in)ability. Give the lad more than a couple of pints and he’d soon be waffling through some byzantine rant without beginning, middle or end.
But, he was 23.
The only thing I know with any certainty is that nobody can find the words to express how much Craig meant to everybody on a personal and professional level.
As with all things like this it’s just stutterings of incredulity, despondency, cliche and raw emotion.
And it will be for quite a while.
Awwk i loved craig russell to bits, met him throo my next door neighbour, came up to glasgow alot and came to visit me, he was a legend, a hero
he will always be my hero 
cant beleive hes gone, hes always with me his picture is always on my wall, and his picture is always in my fone 
, and ill never forget him, he shined on so many ppls lifes, love him so much….
RIP babe
x x
video i made of him!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y2n6F3vApAM
Cant believe its been so long. It still feel’s like last week when we were having a laugh with each other about things we use to get upto on nights out
i still miss you everyday and love you more than ever xxxxxx