Thunder Bay Ironworks #759 Trade School was built two years ago, a building for iron worker apprentices. It was an immediate decision from not only president B.J. Sault, business manager Adam MacGillivary, and the many ironworkers who knew him, that the trade school should be in memory of Russ MacDonald, who passed away in February 2019 following a snowmobiling accident.
As part of an injection of cash into the trades industry in 2025, the Ironworkers Local 759 received $530,755 from the Province of Ontario for hands-on welding training and building upgrades, which the government said would significantly increase the union training facility’s capacity and allow it to set up six new welding booths and provide trainees with more modern tools.
Russ’ parents Mel and Lucille attended the official opening of the trade school. There were videos playing in the training room, with Russ in many pictures. The president took them out to see the iron structure with Russ’s picture and dedication plaque. Lucille shared it was emotional, but such a proud parent moment.Russ will never be forgotten for his many attributes. His journeyman family knew what they were doing when they dedicated the new trade school in his name. The plaque and his picture will live on forever at the trade school, as will the memory of Russ live on forever in the hearts of so many.
Russ was a hard working and respected iron worker who followed in his father Mel’s footsteps. Though ironworking wasn’t Russ’s first choice of a career, as he achieved his millwright papers once out of high school, and also his AZ trucking license, he then made the decision to become a journeyman ironworker.
Russ graduated as a red seal journeyman in his early 20’s and joined the ironworkers union right away. Russ worked in Saskatchewan for two years on the hydro lines as an iron worker apprentice. Russ also worked for E.S. Fox as a supervisor at New Gold Mine. Russ moved up fast as an ironworker and worked at Kapuskasing as a superintendent.
In order to become a journeyman, labourers have to work and accumulate hours then go to trade school. The process is repeated three times and after the third apprenticeship and schooling is completed the final exam can be written. 2,000 hours have to be accumulated in order to go to school and move up to the next level.
Russ shared his trade with many Rainy River District journeymen, including Brock Benjamin, Danny Rea, and Jim Teeple. A journeyman’s life allows you to make friends from around the world, and Russ definitely did that, staying in work camps that accommodate 2,000 workers and people with all types of trades, which made it easy for Russ to share and gain knowledge.
Although Russ enjoyed employment as a journeyman, he did find the supervisor positions stressful, and being the perfectionist he was that added more stress. Wherever Russ worked and whatever position he held for any job, he gave it his all. A journeyman must have strength, agility, precision, the ability to work at high heights in various weather conditions. Russ had them all and a work ethic that will be remembered by all those sharing a days work with him.
Tragedy struck on February 16, 2019, and Russ’s life was cut short due to a snowmobile accident, which left many in shock and grief including his wife Ashley, his three sons Nolan, Bryce and Levi, his parents Mel and Lucille, and brothers Neal and Brody, plus countless family members and friends, and Russ’s ironworks family.
However, the people emotionally saddened by Russ’s death were able to do exactly what Russ would have wanted. They picked themselves up and are making the best life possible for themselves.
That’s not to say memories don’t surface, still today and always will, often causing a smile, tear or heart wrenching moment.
“Russ and I worked many hours together,” Brock Benjamin said.
“We worked hard, sweated hard and sometimes drank hard. He was a guy not only myself but many will never forget. My life is better because of Russ.”
Russ’s son Bryce has made the decision to carry on in his dad’s footsteps and become a journeyman. Unlike Russ, Bryce always knew this is what he wanted to do. Bryce graduated last June from Fort Frances High School, earning two bursaries. Bryce speaks highly of teacher Paul Redford and how Paul helped him prepare for becoming a journeyman.
Bryce has started his apprenticeship hours and is almost at 2,000 hours, which will soon allow him to take the first phase of schooling. With mixed emotions Bryce was able to wear his dads work helmets and work gloves when he first started his apprenticeship. Brock Benjamin was pleased to be able to work along side by side with Bryce during some of his apprentice hours. Bryce has spent time working in Moosonee, near James Bay.
“The union will always find you a job,” Bryce said of the work
“You may have to go to three or four provinces but there is work.”
Bryce is quite happy he may be able to retire at age 50 with the 85 rule that journeymen have. Bryce’s grandpa Mel retired at 55 years of age.
With Bryce taking up being a journeyman, it makes this a third generation choice of career, though he admitted the work isn’t for everyone.”
“Trades are a good thing for kids that don’t want a desk job,” he said.
“You can’t be afraid of heights and you must be adaptable. The new trade school in Thunder Bay makes it much easier and closer for Rainy River District students to become a journeyman. From start to finish it takes about four years, it’s great pay, you are well looked after during your apprenticeship.”
Today Russ would be proud of not only Bryce as he enters a journeyman career, Nolan an electoral engineering technician employed with TBT engineering in Collingwood, and Levi in grade 10, with aspirations of attending McGill University.
“Our father was always a hard worker often leaving home for long periods to provide for our family and ensure bills were paid,” the boys said.
“His work ethic was truly remarkable, one lesson he taught was to always be early and prepared. Be the first person in the room and the last to leave. Always listen and take advantage of any learning opportunity. Never waste them. Thank you for naming the new training centre after our dad. He has left a tremendous impact on the community of iron workers, friends and family.”
