PORTLAND – Richard L. Russell, 79, died March 14, 2009, at his home. Richard was born Aug. 28, 1929, in Houlton, the son of Lawrence A. and Nellie (DeWitt) Russell. Richard graduated from Houlton High School in 1947 where he lettered in baseball, basketball and tennis. Richard graduated from the University of Maine in 1952, a member of Alpha Tau Omega fraternity, serving as the treasurer for two years. Richard held several managerial positions with Sears Roebuck and Co. in store and field management in Augusta, Presque Isle and Waterville, as well as Manchester, N.H., Providence, R.I., and Boston from 1952 to 1972. In 1972, Richard purchased A.W. Larsen Card and Gift Store and Alvina and Delia Women’s apparel store in Waterville that he and his wife, Lillian, operated until 1992. Richard was the director of the Waterville Area Chamber of Commerce. He was on the board of directors of Osteopathic Hospital, Waterville, chairman of Waterville Downtown Merchants’ Association and charter member of the Waterville Downtown Development Association. Richard enjoyed hunting, fishing and the Maine woods. Richard was predeceased by his wife, Lillian, in 1999; a son, Thomas, in 2004; and daughter, Laura, in 2007. He is survived by his brother, Robert of Augusta; his son, Andrew and his wife, Debra, of Gorham; his son, William and his wife, Josephine, of Woburn, Mass.; daughter-in-law, Diane Russell of Winslow; six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. A period of visitation will be held 10-11 a.m. Wednesday, March 18, at Conroy-Tully Crawford Funeral Home, 172 State St., Portland, where a funeral service will be held 11 a.m. with the Rev. Robert Regan, S.J., officiating. Interment will be in the spring at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Houlton. Online condolences may be expressed at www.ctcrawford.com.
RICHARD L. RUSSELL
