Nassau – John Kenneth Russell, 89, of Nassau, NY slipped quietly and peacefully off to heaven on Sunday, October 14, 2018 to join his wife Greta on the occasion of what would’ve been their 68th wedding Anniversary.
Leaving a legacy of love, responsibility, and family, “Kenny” was a devoted family man. In addition, he was an avid outdoorsman who loved hunting and fishing. Born in Mount Vernon, NY in 1929, he met and married his high school sweetheart, Greta, and later moved to Stormville, NY, where together they raised their children. Kenny had many occupations in his early years including working as a builder and running his own service station. Prior to, and during the early years of his marriage, Kenny was an active member of the US Naval Reserve. In Stormville, he worked initially as a Corrections Officer at Greenhaven Prison, eventually completing training and becoming a fire and safety inspector for the State of New York, Department of Corrections. In addition, he was a volunteer fireman and an active member of the rescue squad for many years at the Stormville Fire Department. In retirement, Kenny and Greta moved to Nassau to be closer to their family.
Kenny was predeceased by his wife Greta Fredriksen Russell, his parents William Peter Russell and Helen Barbara Sabo Russell, and his siblings William, Clarence, Dorothy Archer and Barbara Billhymer. He is survived by his three daughters; Lynn Thornton (Todd) of Guilderland, Laura Churchill (David) of North Chatham and Jeannette Kravic (the late John) of Kingston. He is also survived by six grandchildren; Jillian Thornton, Melissa Churchill Critton, Megan Churchill Griffin, John Kravic, James Kravic and Johanna Kravic; one great grandchild, well as many nieces and nephews.
Calling hours will be Friday, October 19 from 11:00-1:00pm with the funeral to follow at 1:00pm at the Raymond E Bond Funeral Home, Valatie, NY. In lieu of flowers, friends and family may make donations in Kenny’s memory to the Pan Mass Challenge, P.O. Box 415590, Boston, MA 02241-5590 (John Kravic JK033 in memo). All monies from the PMC go to the Dana Farber Cancer Institute for research.
