Russell W. Legge

Falmouth – Russell William Legge, 52, “I don’t know how I died but I hope I died with a smile on my face. My pulse has finally gone to zero.” With his characteristic humor, Russell has passed from this life to the next, showing us how to get through it all.

He was born in Greenwich, CT on October 27, 1960, one of four children of Gail (Price) and William Legge. Summer with Outward Bound and boating on Casco Bay were ideal for Russell and winters on the slopes of Sugarloaf were an experience of love. Attending UMO gave him an opportunity to rest from skiing and in 1985 he received a B.S. in Electrical Engineering.

Russell’s enthusiasm for life followed him everywhere he went. His early jobs were at Sugarloaf Grocers, Shaw’s and LL Bean until he graduated college. His professional life began at the Anton Lab Division of Shape. He found the job he loved when he co-founded First Light Technology.

In 2000, Russell’s life took a dramatic turn as the result of complications of surgery at Mass General that would develop into syringomyelia. Thirteen years, 34 brain surgeries later, his optimism and humor did not go away, even on his dying day. His concern for others was foremost and when asked about himself he’d reply, “I’m ducky”. He truly made the best of everything and three years ago he went sky diving.

Russell is survived by his daughter Corrie Legge and his son Ryan Legge of Falmouth; his parents Gail and Bill Legge of Yarmouth; his sister Carlyn Crane and her husband Steve of Westbrook; his brother Scott Legge and his wife Sara of North Yarmouth; his brother Keith Legge of North Yarmouth; his niece Hope Howard of North Yarmouth and a large “expended” family of humans, cats and a dog.

Visiting hours will be on Friday May 10 from 5 – 7 PM at Lindquist Funeral Home, One Mayberry Lane, Yarmouth, ME. A funeral service will be held on Saturday at 1:00 PM at St. Mary the Virgin Episcopal Church, 43 Foreside Road, Falmouth with a reception to follow. Please visit www.lindquistfuneralhome.com to view a video collage of Russell’s life and to share condolences, memories and tributes with his family.

For those who wish, donations may be made in Russell’s memory to: Greg Francoeur Memorial Fund, c/o Gary Francoeur,

23 Pillsbury Pasteur Road, Kingston, NH 03848 or American Syringomyelia Project, PO Box 1586, Longview, TX 75606.