Hrant "Hank" Russian

Born to immigrant Armenian parents, Pegrouhi (Peggy) and Henry Russian, they lived in Cambridge, MA on top of his father’s grocery store. He began working at age 4 packing potatoes and eventually, handled deliveries and manned the store as he grew up.

After his sister Sandra was born five years later, the family moved to Belmont and Hank began to spread his wings. He loved sports, especially basketball. He became an accomplished violinist. He acted in school plays and loved to sing. Graduating from Boston University undergrad in 1959, he did a short stint in the US Army at Fort Bragg, where he and his close fellow patriots volunteered for kitchen duty. After the Army, he went to BU Law School to become an attorney for 52 years.

During his early practice years in Cambridge, he was particularly proud of being the Executive Director of the national Armenian Youth Federation and being instrumental in the creation of Camp Haiastan, an Armenian children’s camp in Franklin, MA that still exists today.

Married to his first wife, they lived in Needham and had two sons, David and Laurence. Hank was very active in community boards, was a Town Meeting Member, Commissioner of Trust Funds, Planning Board Study Committee as Co-Chair, Director of Needham Taxpayers Association, and Chairman of the Needham Housing Authority. He never stopped volunteering.

Marrying a second time in 1973 to Rita, who had a daughter Lisa, they lived in Needham for 33 years, built a second home in Chatham, and became permanent Chatham residents in 2006. He set up a law practice in Chatham and served on the Planning Board and the Land Bank Open Space Committee.

He retired after 52 years as an attorney and took up painting with many art classes. Very active in the arts, he served as a Trustee on the Cape Cod Museum of Art (CCMOA) Board and stepped up to be President during its financial difficulties in 2012. After bringing financial stability to the Museum, he passed the baton. In 2020, the CCMOA awarded Hank its Muse Benefactor Award, recognizing him as an artist and for providing his wisdom, counsel, and leadership as President until 2015. He remained an Honorary Trustee to present day.

During his lifetime of accomplishments, Hank and Rita traveled the world, including Saint Martin, where they favored the French side for 11 years. They were also Boston Celtics season ticket holders for 14 years during the Larry Bird era. Hank was an avid tennis player and enjoyed sweating! He was the first one on any dance floor and he loved great wine and good food.

With his vibrant personality, a big smile and twinkling brown eyes, he touched the lives of everyone he met with his kindness and humor. An avid art collector, he bought and read hundreds of art books and painted hundreds of canvases. He embraced life to its fullest and will be remembered fondly forever.

Hank was predeceased by his sister Sandra Aghababian, and nephew Ronald Aghababian. He is survived by his loving wife Rita of 50 years and their 3 married children, Lisa (Peter), David (Soni), and Laurence (Brice) and five grandchildren: Isabella, Philippe, Lily, Townes, and Michael. Also surviving is his brother-in-law Robert Aghababian, and nephew Scott (Elizabeth) and their 3 children, niece Pamela, and numerous Armenian cousins.

Friends and friends are invited to gather for Visiting Hours and Memorial Service for Hank will be held Monday, August 19, 2024 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 Noon with a brief service beginning at 10:45 AM at Doane, Beal & Ames, 260 Main Street, West Harwich, MA 02671. Following the visiting hours and memorial service, a Celebration of Life and Reception will be held at the Cape Cod Museum of Art (CCMOA), 60 Hope Ln, Dennis, MA 02638 from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM. Burial will be held privately.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the CCMOA and the incredible EMTs that rescued Hank so often. Please send donations to the Chatham Fire Association 135 Depot Road, Chatham, MA 02633.