The Don Russell name has been well-known and respected in the New Toronto area for some 87-years and counting.

Russell’s pharmacy with its blue sign has been part of the community since 1933 at the same Lake Shore Blvd. W., and Sixth Street location.

Russell, a native of Norval, Ont., graduated from the University of Toronto and started his landmark store soon afterwards

He always loved politics and was Mayor of New Toronto for two terms from 1954 to 1967.

The local resident was doing well and by 1950 had three booming pharmacies in Etobicoke to his name.

Energetic and well-known in the community, he gave of time and belonged to a range of organizations; including the Lakeshore Lions, Kingsway Shriners, the Lakeshore Paraplegic Society, the Red Cross, and the New Toronto Library Board.

The pharmacist knew many of the area’s politicians at the time and politics was always close to his heart. Russell entered the fray by winning a one-year term on the Etobicoke School Board in 1948.

He gained confidence and soon won a spot on Etobicoke City Council, where he stayed for two terms. He was making quite a name for himself and ran and won the Mayor’s chair, where he sat for 13-years.

By all accounts Russell was a fairly popular politician, who could be approached and generally cared about the well-being of the community.

As Mayor he and other Etobicoke politicians on Metro Council were against the construction in 1954 of a subway at the time and demanded that fares remain the same in all parts of the city, since Etobicoke was viewed as the outskirts of Toronto.

He then served on Metro Council and was elected to the new Board of Control when Toronto amalgamated with Etobicoke in 1998.

The pharmacist-turned-politician was married to Dorothy Reynolds since 1935 and they had two children, Beverly and Robert, who also became a pharmacist and joined his father’s practice after graduation, according to local historian Denise Harris.
Russell passed away from a heart attack in December 1971 at his Lakeshore Dr., home.

A park at Humber College facility, on Birmingham St., was renamed Don Russell Memorial Park in his honour.

Son Bob carried on the family business until retiring. Today “Don Russell Drugs” still carries on and few seem to be aware of the long political history behind the store, which has new owners.

with files by Denise Harris