Warren Merrick Russell

Warren “Duke” Russell, 93, of East Hartford, passed away on January 26, 2017. He was born in Springfield, Massachusetts a son of the late Raymond and Ruth (Merrick) Russell. Warren grew up in Hamden, Connecticut, where he graduated from high school in 1943. He entered the United States Marine Corps and was sent to the Pacific Theater of Operations, ultimately ending up in the Philippine Islands. After the war he entered the U.S. Army National Guard.

He was predeceased by his sisters, Ruth Young and June McQuillan, his older brother, Raymond Russell, and his beloved wife of nearly sixty years, Freda Russell. Warren could trace his ancestry back to The Plymouth Bay Colony. He was descended from six different MAYFLOWER families. He leaves two sons, Randall Russell of East Hampton, and Roger Russell of Coventry. He also leaves his daughter in laws, Ann Marie Russell and Pia Polmann; Halina Bannon, a close family friend, and two grandsons, Kristjan Russell of East Berlin, Connecticut, as well as Thomas Russell and his wife, Jamie of Hereford, Arizona and several nieces and nephews.

Warren was a member of the South Congregational Church in East Hartford, where he served on the Board of Trustees for many years. He was a charter member of the East Hartford Junior Chamber of Commerce and a longtime blood donor. Warren rooted for the Boston Red Sox and the UCONN Huskies.

His Life Well Celebrated service will be Friday February 10, 2017 at 10AM at the Newkirk & Whitney Funeral Home, 318 Burnside Avenue, East Hartford, Connecticut 06108. Burial with military honors will be at 11:45AM, in Hillcrest Park Cemetery, 895 Parker Street, Springfield, Massachusetts. An hour of visitation at the funeral home, will precede the service from 9AM-10AM. For more information, to view his Everlasting Memorial Tribute video or to leave an online condolence, please visit www.newkirkandwhitney.com