Edmund George Russell Jr, 85, passed away on October 27, 2022 with his loving family by his side. Ted was born on November 5,1936 in Cambridge, Massachusetts to Edmund and Katherine Russell of Belmont, Massachusetts where he later graduated from Belmont High School in 1954. He went on to graduate from Bates College in 1958 with a biology degree and followed his fathers footsteps to pursue a career in dentistry. Ted attended Tufts University School of Dentistry and graduated in 1962. Upon completion of dental school, Ted enlisted in the United States Air Force. As an Officer, he was stationed in Goose Bay Labrador, Canada performing dentistry. It was there that he met the love of his life, Margot Christiansen, from Iowa, who was working as a teacher. Ted and Margot were married for 58 years and had three children who they raised with immense pride and love, Keith, Karen and Kate.
On Sebago Lake in Standish, Maine was the place Ted and Margot settled and called home. Ted established his dental office in Portland, Maine on Woodfords Street where he practiced for 42 years. The family spent summers at Quaker Point in Bath, Maine creating memories with friends. Camp was where Ted found the most joy and peace.
Those who knew Ted, know that in addition to the pride he took in his work, he also was an avid sportsman. During the summers at camp, Ted would most often be found out on his boat tracking down the elusive striped bass. During the fall, he could be found in the deep woods of Maine hunting birds with his son Keith and numerous friends or even on a moose hunt with his grandson. Ted was a founding member of The Turner Pond Club Sporting Camps in Jackman, Maine. This was a place he could be found hunting birds, fishing, and snowmobiling. Ted valued his friendships and fostered those relationships not only through long days hunting and fishing but with end of the day cocktails and telling endless stories with great laughter.
Ted had a quiet influence on countless individuals. His love and pride for his grandchildren was unprecedented. He attended almost all sporting events and found joy in sharing with strangers their accomplishments, which includes two grandchildren soon to complete dental school. Ted’s absence will be felt far and wide, however his impact will last forever.
Ted is predeceased by his father Edmund and mother Katherine Russell. He leaves behind his loving wife Margot Russell and their children Dr. Keith Russell and his wife Tracey of Falmouth, his daughter Karen Andreasen of Gorham, and daughter Kate Thomas of Gorham. Ted had seven grandchildren, their future spouses as well as others close to his heart : Libby and Erik Andreasen, Shawn Bernardo, Taylor, Brianna and Devin Russell, and Patrick Thornton, Wyatt and Gavin Thomas, their dad Andrew Thomas and Ted’s “son” Jay Hacket .
The family invites you to a Celebration of Life on Saturday November 19th from 3:00 to 6:30pm, with Words of Remembrance at 4:00pm at the Elks Lodge #188, 1945 Congress St, Portland ME. Committal services will be at a later date and private.
You may offer your condolences or share your memories at www.jonesrichandbarnes.com
If you would like to make donations in Edmund’s (Ted’s) name, you may make those to Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, 15 Game Farm Rd, Gray, ME 04039
