IN MEMORIAM: Wayne Russell, 72;

DOT Engineer Traveled In Retirement

WEST ONEONTA – Wayne L Russell, 72, who spent 37 years as a civil engineer with the state Department of Transportation, passed away peacefully at Fox Nursing Home Feb. 19, 2016. 

He was born Nov. 12, 1943, in Delhi, the son of Lawrence and Georgia (Ruling) Russell.  The family lived in Bloomville until his junior year in high school when they moved to Schenevus.  After graduation from high school in 1961 he went on to receive an associates degree in engineering from SUNY Delhi, and they began his career with the DOT.

He met his wife Lela (Eller) in high school and, after starting his career, they were married in 1965.  Wayne had many talents, interests and accomplishments.  Chief among them was the loving upkeep repairs and remodeling of his home and gardens where the couple raised their two boys.

Wayne was a lifetime member of the Elks Club, and was a trustee and junior bowling coach for many years.   Another priority of Wayne’s was golf.  He was a long time member of the Oneonta Country Club and loved nothing more than to be on the course with his golfing buddies.

For many years, summer weekends were spent by the family aboard their boat on Otsego Lake among their boating friends.  On retirement, Wayne and Lela turned to cross-country RV travel.  During the winter months they would visit many National Parks and points of interest along the way to California and back.

Wayne is survived by Lela, his wife of 50 years; his two sons, David and wife Michelle, of Walden, and Michael and Katalin of Berkeley, Calif.; three grandchildren; Timothy Russell of Hollywood, Calif., Casey Russell of Walden, and Rowan Russell of Berkeley, plus nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was predeceased by his parents; his brother Howard W. Russell, and his brother-in-law, Erick Hall.

Calling hours will be 1-2 p.m. Friday, Feb. 26, at the Lewis, Hurley & Pietrobono Funeral Home, Oneonta.  The funeral service will be at 2, with the Rev. Judith Thistle officiating.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Catskill Area Hospice 1 Birchwood Rd. Oneonta, NY 13820 or to the Susquehanna Animal Shelter 4841 St. Hwy 28, Cooperstown, NY 13326

Online condolence may be sent to, www.lhpfuneralhome.com