Obituary of John P. "Jack" Russell

John P. “Jack” Russell, 71, of Peabody, died early Sunday morning at the Lafayette Nursing Home in Marblehead after a long illness. He was the husband of Joan A. (Conery) Russell with whom he shared 46 years of marriage. He was born in Peabody on June 3, 1938, the son of the late Joseph L. and Rose (Lucey) Russell and was a graduate of Peabody High School in 1958. He had been a lifelong resident of Peabody. He had been employed as a crematory operator at the Harmony Grove Crematory in Salem for 32 years from 1960 until 1992. He later worked in the maintenance department of the Thomson Country Club in North Reading for 12 years prior to his retirement. Jack loved working around his house and his yard and had been a member of the Italian American Citizens Club of Peabody. He had given many tours to students at the high school and colleges in the area on the process and handling of cremation while at Harmony Grove Crematory. Surviving him besides his wife are his children and their spouses, Robert and Sheila, Timothy and Dawn, John and Cathy all of Peabody, Maria and Robert of Lomita, CA, Deneige of PA, Patricia of Salem and Rose and Roman of Oregon, his siblings, Richard and Rose Russell, Leonard and Ann Russell, Thomas and Ellie Russell , Joseph Russell and Phyllis Carlson all of Peabody, 12 grandchildren, a great grandchild and several nieces and nephews. He was the father of the late James Russell and the brother of the late William Russell. A Visitation will be held on Wednesday at the Conway, Cahill-Brodeur Funeral Home at the 82 Lynn St. Peabody facility from 11:00 until 1:00 AM with a Service there at 1:00 PM. Following cremation, burial will be in Harmony Grove Cemetery, Salem. Expressions of sympathy may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 311 Arsenal St., Watertown, MA 02472 in his memory.