Richard Russes
Richard P. Russes, 87, of Pepperell, formerly of Sagamore Beach, Mattapoisett and Lincoln, Massachusetts passed away peacefully surrounded by his loving family on April 13. He was the beloved husband of Mary D. (Williamson) Russes for 61 and a half years.
Richard and Mary both grew up in Lincoln and married in September 1957, they remained in Lincoln to raise their four children until moving to the south shore, nearer to the ocean in 1979. He is survived by his three children: Richard A. Russes and his wife Kathleen Russes of Littleton, Elizabeth Russes and Paul Sylvia of Lincoln, and Bonnie Russes and Stephen Defina of Bolton. Richard’s son Robert P. Russes, an Air Force veteran and senior airman, was pre-deceased by his father. His four grandchildren, Michael L. Sylvia, Jessica B. Sylvia, Tyler R. Russes, and Amy F. Russes knew and loved him as “Grampy,” a grandfather who loved to make them laugh.
Born in Waltham on January 11, 1932, Richard was the son of the late Anthony Russes and Frances (Danosky) Russes. He grew up in Lincoln and attended Concord High School. During his childhood and into his adult life, he worked at The Lincoln, his family’s restaurant across from Walden Pond.
In 1952, Richard enlisted in the U.S. Navy in the Atlantic Mine Force Fleet, Commander Mine Division 82, where he served as a steam engine engineer on the USS Strive during the Korean War. After the war, he worked as an electrician and then as an elevator mechanic for Otis Elevator in the Boston area, a career spanning over 40 years as a tradesman with Local Union 4.
If anyone needed help or something fixed, he was there, never asking for anything in return. He lit up any room with his presence and left an impression so that people remembered him after one meeting, he loved to make people laugh and loved a good practical joke. He was a natural engineer always looking for way to make something work better. He taught his children what a strong work ethic was but not to the sacrifice of having fun with his family. He was a man who would wait for his children and guests to eat first, before eating himself to ensure that everyone had enough, no matter the amount of food. He will be dearly missed by all of his family and friends, but we are sure that he is with the Lord and lighting up heaven just a little bit more.
As Dick was always willing to lend someone a hand and was a proud veteran along with his two sons, the family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in his memory on the the Veterans Northeast Outreach Center website (click on the “donate” button at the top of the page).
(Obituary courtesy of McGaffigan Funeral Home)