Edited from what was published in The Oregonian on 3 Aug 2008.

The Guestbook from OregonLive.com has been copied to the bottom of this page as the book expired from their website on 2 Sep 2008.

More can be found on the An Tir Wiki page linked at the bottom of this page.
Brian Peter Russell
Brian Stanley Russell
known in the SCA as
Ciaran Cluana Ferta, GdS, JdL

13 Sep 1952 - 20 Jul 2008

Brian Stanley Russell (a.k.a. Brian Peter Russell) of Portland passed away in Kennewick, Wash., on Sunday morning, July 20, 2008, of massive heart failure. He was 55.

Born in Seattle on Sept. 13, 1952, he attended Vestal Grade School and graduated from Madison High School in Portland. He served in the Boy Scouts and attended Portland State University.

Brian worked for Good Samaritan Hospital and the Rehabilitation Institute of Oregon for 10 years as an orthopedic technician. Being a person of diverse interests, he also worked locally for Broadway Cab, American Barricade, Stream, and DirecTV.

Brian was a member of Sts. Peter and Paul Episcopal Church in Portland where he held various offices including acolyte master. Later he belonged to St. Nicholas Orthodox Church. He spent almost two years in Resaca, Georgia, at the Monastery of the Glorious Ascension before returning to Portland.

Interested in music since childhood, Brian composed, sang, and studied choral music. He sang in numerous local musical groups over the years, starting with the Boys' Choir of Sts. Peter and Paul church. He sang with the mixed ensemble at Madison High School under the direction of Ted Ashizawa, and with the choir of St. Nicholas church. He also belonged to the Portland Camerata, the Sherwood Singers, and appeared in three of the annual shows put on by the Portland Christmas Revels.

For the last four years Brian spent most of his time contributing to the Choral Public Domain Library, contributing nearly 700 pieces of 16th century music, remastered for public use. His work was widely respected and earned him recognition at home and abroad.

He also was a member for the past 20 years in the Society for Creative Anachronism, a Medieval/Renaissance recreation group, where he served in various offices and pursued his interests in heraldry, music, and general history, was a founding member of Musica Draconis, and helped start (and was a driving force behind) the event known as The Triumphs of Oriana. He was also active in the Portland Storytellers Guild.

Brian is survived by his mother, Alvera Russell; two brothers, Marc Ranger and Arthur Russell; his grandmother, Rose Brown; nieces, Christina Ristvedt, Theresa Dees and Monique Morgan; 10 cousins; and his companion of 19 years, Julia Strozyk.

A memorial service is planned for later in August at Sts. Peter and Paul Church where interment of the ashes will also take place. Announcements of date and time will follow.

A memorial fund has been established at Washington Mutual under the name Brian Russell (Ciaran) to help defray expenses.

The family would like to thank the Mueller Funeral Home, Kennewick, Wash., and good friend Ed Carthell for their help and support.



Ciaran as the Easter Bunny at a Dragon's Mist event many years ago.... (early to mid 1990s?)

Ciaran taking a break between heralding duties at Acorn War 2002

The voice you hear is Ciaran heralding the Youth Armoured Combat Tourney at the Barony of Three Mountains Champions Tourney 2008. You can barely catch glimpses of him off to the left wearing the hat and a blue tunic that blends in with the woman marshalling near him.


August 6, 2008
You'll be missed as much for your stories as your ability to look at the world in all sorts of ways and still laugh at it. May your "voice" live on in our histories for always.
Tangwystyl v. Rhiwallon Ogwr (Portland, OR)


August 5, 2008
Over the years I have heard your voice at events. I have overheard snatches of conversations. You were talked about in such positive ways. I regret not taking those opportunities to speak with you and know you better.

To your family and loved ones I send my deepest condolences.

The world is a poorer place without you.
Lady Rose aux Mains Habiles, Rose Case (Wilsonville, OR)


August 5, 2008
Brian I only got to know you as Ciaran and for too short a time. I will miss you my friend and will always remember what you have taught me.

Caitrina
Roxanne Hood (Coquitlam, BC)


August 5, 2008
So long Ciaran/Brian. It was all too brief a time for us to spend with you, even though we were more fortunate than some in the amount of time you spent with us. You will be missed so much. I was looking forward to having you to our open house "any day now", but alas we have not gotten the house "open" soon enough and now you've slipped away...

Moreach/Suze
Edwardus/Edward
of Clan Hubert (SCA)
Suze Hammond (Oregon City, OR)


August 5, 2008
Brian/Cieran, we will never forget you.
Last weekend we toasted you as an "Absent Friend" around the table where we would feast with you and your Lady during so many holidays.

You never ran out of interesting stories to tell and were a walking encyclopedia of all things musical, mythological and religious (not to mention the lore and legend of SCA in all its permutations). We would stay up and listen to you till we were dropping asleep and could have listened longer.

Bon voyage, our dear friend.

Darcy and Tracey
Darcy Scholts (Vancouver, WA)


August 5, 2008
I remember the first time I met Brian (Ciaran), I needed something heralded at an event and being fairly new at the time did not know who to ask. Someone graciously pointed out Ciaran and said "Have him do it", I walked over and asked him but should have known to cover my ears! After the ringing stopped, I had the next 9 years and many events to talk to this wonderful man (in a much quieter setting). He will be missed.
Temair of Hawthorne (Portland, OR)


August 5, 2008
Brian (Ciaran) was one of those larger-than-life people who could be seen (in his yellow suit) and heard for great distances. His kindness was legend. I could count on him for a great argument and know that our friendship would never be affected. He was a friend to any and all. I will sorely miss him. Bright Blessings to Julie and his family.

Lynda (Lianna) Heller (St. Helens,, OR)


August 5, 2008
I will miss his BIG voice at events and his kind heart and stories.
Eleanor de Sackville (Chris Knutson) (Portland, OR)


August 5, 2008
Brian, Cieran, these were names for you, and under each name, you were, and are, loved.

In this world there are people who give more than anyone could dream of to help and benefit others. You were one of these.

Your friendship was one of the greatest gifts I have ever received.

I will miss your smile, your laugh, your stories, your singing, your wisdom and so much more. I'll always miss you my friend!

May you sing for eternity with the angels! And may your voice make the devils so envious they beg to listen to you!

AElfwynn
Di Karpinski (Vancouver, WA)


August 5, 2008
How fortunate I feel to have spent much of the last day of his life with the gentle soul that was Ciaran.

We talked and laughed, ate and drank, told stories and taught heraldry together, and of course worked on the tourney field. All of the SCA things that Ciaran loved best.

May his carrack sail gracefully onward to his just reward, in whatever kingdom he would most joyously reside.

I'll miss him.

Natasha Orionova Zateeva
Scotty Zdarsky (Olympia, WA)


August 5, 2008
Brian (Ciaran) was a sweet, good-natured, kind, gentle soul. He was a true gentleman in every sense of the word. I will miss his stories and songs.
Jennifer Mackay-Galicia (Vancouver, WA)


August 5, 2008
Dear Ciaran/Brian~

Thank you for being such an encouragement, for being so warm and welcoming, for your very funny humor, your willingness to serve and to give and most of all, for being fearless about being who you are! You were an inspiration to many and to me. I miss you, friend, and wish you well as you sing with the choirs of Angels.... and I'm sure you won't be the only singing angel with a slightly crooked halo! Peace to you.
Kathryn (Beah) Vai (Dallas, TX)


August 5, 2008
It's so unreal to look at this. As someone who's valued Brian/Ciaran's unique personality and the stories he had to tell, it seems way too brief.

He was without a doubt one of the most interesting people I"ve ever known. He told me stories of his life, his life in the SCA, his life in the monastery, and his life at Oxford University (he had two Masters degrees).

As his SCA Colleague and student, I can say without reservation that everything I've done that was good is as a result of his being a spur. I love drawing and he encouraged and nurtured that as a mentor. I humbly and respectfully feel that he never received his true due.

Just like all the best people in my life, he believed in me more than I believed in myself. From here on out, anything I do artistically, either in the SCA or out, will be – at least in some small but important part – dedicated to him.

I'll miss him as a teacher, friend, and ... yes, even as a brother. For he was the big brother that I never had.
Samuel Klein (Portland, OR)


August 5, 2008
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Earl Scott (Beaverton, OR)


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