Obituary of Richard J. Russell

Peabody – Richard J. “Dick’ Russell 90, beloved husband of Rose T. (Pellizzaro) Russell, died Wednesday, March 31, 2021 at Rosewood Nursing Center in Peabody. Born and raised in Peabody, he was the son of the late Joseph L. and Rose (Lucey) Russell. He attended St. John the Baptist Grammar School in Peabody and graduated from St. Mary’s High School in Lynn, class of 1948. He continued his education at Boston College earning a bachelor’s degree in mathematics in 1952 and a master’s degree in 1956. An honorably discharged veteran, he served his country during the Korean Conflict as a member of the United States Army. Mr. Russell had been employed for thirty-eight years as the associate director of engineering services at the Charles Stark Draper Laboratory in Cambridge until the time of his retirement in 1994. A lifelong resident of Peabody, he was a parishioner at St. John the Baptist Church in Peabody and enjoyed travelling with his wife. He was a loving husband, grandfather, brother and friend who will be missed by all who knew him. In addition to his wife with whom he shared sixty-three years of marriage, he is survived by his two grandchildren, Nicholas Cole Russell and Linnea Rose Russell both of CA, a daughter-in-law, Linda Russell of CA, a brother, Joseph C. Russell, Ret. Peabody Deputy Fire Chief of Peabody, two sisters-in-law, Anne Russell and Joan A. Russell both of Peabody and a close friend and co-worker of thirty-seven years, Carl Ogren or Lynnfield. He was also the father of the late Richard J. “Rick” Russell II and brother of the late Phyllis Carlson, Thomas F. Russell, John P. “Jack” Russell, William Russell and Leonard “Lenny” Russell. His funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. John the Baptist Church, 17 Chestnut St., Peabody, Wednesday, April 7, 2021 at 12:00 p.m. Relatives and friends are invited to attend. Visiting hours at the Conway Cahill-Brodeur Funeral Home, 82 Lynn St., Peabody, Tuesday from 4 to 7 p.m. Burial in Oakdale Cemetery, Middleton. All attendees are required to wear a mask and adhere to social distancing guidelines. Contributions may be made in his memory to St. John the Baptist Church, 17 Chestnut St., Peabody, MA 01960 or to the charity of one’s choice.