Obituary of Robert James Russell

Robert J. Russell 1944-2023 Robert J. Russell, of Keeseville, NY, passed away peacefully with his family and friend by his side on March 4th, 2023, at UVM Health Network, CVPH Medical Center in Plattsburgh, after a hard-fought and courageous battle with cancer. Robert (Bob) was born on March 22, 1944, in Albany, New York, and graduated from Colonie Central High School in 1962. After graduation, he volunteered to serve in the United States Navy, to which he dedicated 25 years of distinguished service. In 1969, he married his wife, June Russell, and was married for 53 years. He and June celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary at the Keeseville VFW in December 2019 with family and friends. During his 25-year naval career, Bob served on numerous submarines, including the USS Tinosa (1964-69), the USS Sandlance (1969-72) and the USS Alexander Hamilton (1975-80). He also served on two nuclear submarines, the USS Billfish (1983-85), and the USS Nautilus (1985-88) before retiring as a Master Chief in 1988. From 1972 to 1975 he served as a recruiter for service on Nuclear Submarines in the New England region. He received a Navy Achievement Medal for professional achievement in 1981 while serving on the USS Alexander Hamilton and a Navy Commendation Medal for meritorious service while serving on the USS Nautilus in 1985-86. After retiring from the Navy in 1988, Bob and June moved to Keeseville to be near Bob’s mother, Virginia, and brother, Bill and family. They purchased the Holiday Travel Park Campsite, which they owned and operated until 2012. For several years he served as a member and Chairman of both the Town Planning Board and Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) for the Town of Chesterfield. For numerous years Bob proudly served as a member of the Keeseville chapter of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 1505 and for many years as an Adjutant (advocate) as well as a member of the Am Vets. He was very proud of his military service and his service to the VFW. Bob was an avid hunter and fisherman, and recently completed (in the midst of cancer treatments) his 49th and 50th annual fall hunting trip driving to Maine to hunt with his with longtime friend Bruce Thompson. He also enjoyed fishing season each year with his brother Bill and friends. He enjoyed spending time with his family and friends, and was a loving and dedicated husband, brother and uncle. He was very generous and always willing to help family and friends whenever needed, and maintained a great sense of humor right up to his last days. He will be fondly remembered by his family and friends and will be sorely missed. Bob is survived by his loving wife, June Russell; siblings William E. (Marcia) Russell of Keeseville and Mary Janet (Richard) Lord of The Villages, Florida; nephews Jeremy Russell, Matthew and Joanna Russell (Elianna and Gabriella); Andrew and Ying Russell (Alexander); and nephew, David Lord; niece, Susan and Jason Dollak (and family). He was predeceased by his father, Edward A. Russell (1983) and mother, Virginia K. Russell (1991). A special thank you from Bob’s family goes to Reed McGuinn, Mark and Rosemary Burrell, Dan Giddings and Dennis Joy for all the help and support they provided to Bob during his extended illness. Another special thank you is given to Dr. Debra Clark, Dr. Todd Whitman and the staff of the Fitzpatrick Cancer Center, Dr. Matt Baskind and staff R3 Section, and Dr. Alison Guile and the 5th Floor Skilled Nursing Center of the CVPH Medical Center UVM Health Network for their extraordinary and compassionate care given to Bob during his illness. Calling hours will be held on Sunday, March 26, 2023 from 2:00 to 4:00 pm, at the Hamilton Funeral Home, 124 Clinton St., Keeseville, with Military honors at 4:00pm. A celebration of Bob’s life will follow at the Keeseville VFW, Post 1505, Route 9, Keeseville, compliments of the VFW. Burial will be held at the convenience of the family in the spring, at Our Lady of the Angels Cemetery, in Albany, NY. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Fitzpatrick Cancer Center, 212 Cornelia St., Plattsburgh, NY 12901 or the Keeseville Rescue Squad, 8 Pleasant St., Keeseville, NY 12944. Arrangements are in the care of the Hamilton Funeral Home, 124 Clinton Street, Keeseville, 834-7667.