Russel J. Falotico

Russel John Falotico was born on September 13th, 1957, in Charleston South Carolina, the youngest of three boys into a United States Air Force family. He spent his formative years in many parts of the United States. In 1967, the same year he turned 10, Russel moved with his family to Kadena Air Base on the island of Okinawa. While there his love of sports became evident as he took up baseball and especially Little League Football. The rich history of this island as well the Japanese Island of Kyushu, which he spent several weeks visiting in 1969, led to his love of Japanese culture and history.

Upon the retirement from active duty of his father, Russel moved with his family to the eastern Oregon town of Ontario. Here, he completed the requirements to achieve the rank of Eagle Scout as well as continue his baseball and football career in Jr High and High School. His senior year of high school marked his foray into politics as he was elected Student Body President.

After graduating from high school, Russel attended Tulane University on an ROTC Scholarship. Russel loved his time in “The Big Easy” and it became part of his lore. Unfortunately his military aspirations were cut short by the onset of arthritis, so he left New Orleans and headed back to Corvallis, Oregon where he graduated from OSU with a bachelor degree in Political Science. Russ was a true Beaver believer (don’t tell anyone, but for one term after his graduation, he actually took an advanced degree course in Eugene, oh those hated Ducks).

Russel went to work for Rentrak in Portland, but eventually moved to the Midwest to work for John Q Hammons Hotel and Resorts. It is while working for “John Q” that Russ met and married the love of his life Lynndi Stewart from Ogallala NE, Aug. 16th 1986. The two of them subsequently moved back to Eugene, OR and then migrated north to the Portland area where they eventually settled in Beaverton. Along the way they had two wonderful children Tony and Makaela. Russ was self-taught the principles of accounting and through the years gained much experience and eventually became the Controller of PLUS Corporation of America.

Russ loved the ocean and he spent many of his happiest times at the beach with his family. Many times he found strength in the beauty, compassion, and peacefulness of the animals he loved. He was immersed in all things that were “Whale”, he respected and admired their majesty and beauty, so much that he wore a set of flukes around his neck. He also shared similar feelings about the cats who were a special part of the Falotico family.

His first sports passion was always football. If you know Russ, you know his favorite teams were the OSU Beavers and the Seattle Seahawks. His cheers rang out throughout the neighborhood during every game! (How dare anyone come into his house speaking positively of those “Duckies”). This passion only grew as he became the biggest fan of his children’s sports teams. Starting with Tony’s CYO football and Makaela’s basketball teams, and later it was Tony’s Beaverton Beavers football team. Once Tony started playing rugby at Western Oregon University, Russ quickly became the team’s number one fan. He always called it “A Man’s Game”, and would correct anyone that called it a “game” and not a “match”. Even his daughter in-law McKenzie (Kenzie) helped increase his love of the sport as she played for the Western Oregon University women’s team. He was well versed in the book “Rugby for Dummies”, and if you didn’t know something, Russ would sure teach you!

Russ loved long drives with his beautiful wife belting any “Doobie Brothers” song at the top of their lungs, visiting wineries, enjoying outdoor concerts, and discovering the in-depth history behind their destinations. For him, on personal trips, this included researching and touring prisons across the United States. If there was a prison in a town you were traveling to, he would mention it, and fill you in on all the details. The two of them also enjoyed many quiet evenings outdoors in joyful competition playing games, or becoming engrossed in discussions.

Russ lived a full and successful life building many memories with those he loved. However, nothing speaks truer about the man he was than the lessons he passed on to his children; lessons of compassion, honesty, and most importantly, loyalty. His loyalty spread wide from sports teams, to his country, his family, and his wife. This was one of the biggest things he stood for and many close to him are forever grateful for these lessons he left behind.

And no history of Russ could be complete without mentioning his obsession with “Perry Mason”. An obsession that started in the early 60’s in his grandma’s basement on an old black and white television and continued through to this very day. Heaven forbid someone step in front of the tv during his lunch time viewing! He knew each and every character, their back story, every episode and even the history of the actors themselves. It is this attention to detail, even to the most minute of things that Russel carried through his life. It is what made him Russ.

Russel loved deeply and was loved, nothing in the world made him more proud than his two children.

He was predeceased by his oldest brother Robert Falotico. He is survived by his loving wife Lynndi, his son Tony and his wife McKenzie, his daughter Makaela, his father Rocco and mother Jean, his brother Rocco and his wife Catherine and their family, his Sister-in-law Yolanda Falotico. He is also survived by his Uncle Norman Walker and family, Aunt Gloria Sheridan and family and Aunt Sue Rother and family.

Other survivors include his mother-in-law and father-in-law, Faylene and Cameron Stewart of Ogallala, Nebraska. Brother-in-law, Garon (Sherri) Stewart of Ogallala, sisters-in-law Jodi (Dirk) Neverve of Douglas, Wyoming, and Gwen (Scott) Merrill of Ogallala, as well as several nieces and nephews. He is also survived by a host of young adult friends that he supported and mentored over the years. He was viewed as a second father by many of Makaela and Tony’s friends. This was a second nature for Russ to share his love and passion for communication which made it easy for others to share this close bond with him.

On July 27, 2014, Russ may have left this world physically, but will forever be here in our hearts and with us in spirit!

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: The Hatfield Marine Science Center at OHSU, The Oregon Humane Society, or the Arthritis Foundation.

Celebration of Life, 11am, Saturday, August 2, 2014 at Christ the Vine Lutheran Church, Damascus.

Arrangements under the direction of Finley Sunset Hills Mortuary, PORTLAND, OR.