John Adams Russell Jr.

John Adams Russell, Jr. passed away on September 23, 2017 in Bonita Springs, Florida. Visiting hours will be held from 3-6 PM on Thursday, October 5, 2017 at Tossing Funeral Home in Rutland, VT. The funeral service will be held at the Grace Congregational United Church of Christ in Rutland VT on Friday, October 6 at 11 AM.

He was born on October 4, 1944 in Rutland, the son of John Adams and Mary (Collins) Russell. He graduated from Rutland High School in 1962 and the Wentworth Institute of Technology in 1964 and attended the University of Vermont. John also served in the Vermont National Guard.

John had two major through-lines in his life: his love of Vermont, and his love of family. He served in a variety of roles in Rutland and the state of Vermont. He was President of Russell Corporation, a construction company founded by his father in 1934 and continues to thrive under the leadership of his son, John III. He was also a developer, projects included the Asa Bloomer State Office Building, the Trolley Barn, The Gables and Meadows at East Mountain in Rutland, Equinox Village in Manchester, VT and two biomass power plants in New Hampshire. He also served as Chairman of the State of Vermont Transportation Board under Governor Richard A. Snelling, President of the Vermont Association of General Contractors, a member of the Board of the Rutland Industrial Development Corporation, President of the Rutland Regional Chamber of Commerce, a member of the Board of Directors of the Proctor Bank and a member of the Vermont Business Roundtable. John was also a benefactor of numerous local Rutland and Vermont charities.

John received a heart transplant on November 26, 2002, which changed his and his family’s life. That date was also his 36thwedding anniversary. His life since the transplant was marked by both medical challenges and tremendous grace. He exemplified perseverance, optimism, commitment, hard work, and love of family. Above all, John adored his wife of 50 years, Martha Thomas Russell. Theirs is a love story that is an example to all who knew them.

John loved to be outdoors. As a boy and young adult he hunted and fished with his uncle Lyman, taught his three boys to ski at Pico with his wife Marti and for a period rarely missed an opening day of duck season with a group of his closest friends. Golf and fishing became his overriding passion later in life. He played golf with Marti most Sunday afternoons and jumped at the opportunity to play with friends, try new courses and, eventually, teach his grandchildren. When he wasn’t playing golf, he spent early mornings on the Gulf of Mexico fishing with friends.

John is survived by his wife, Martha, of Bonita Springs, FL and three sons, John Adams Russell III of Rutland, VT, Mark Lyman Russell and his wife Marion of Newton, MA, and Matthew Thomas Russell and his wife Lindsey of Cambridge, MA. His proudest title was that of grandfather. He leaves six grandchildren: Johann Adams Russell, son of John, Sophia Lilly, Catherine Ellen, and Luke James Russell, children of Mark, and Grace Eldredge and Samuel Whitman, children of Matthew. John leaves his beloved siblings, Dr. James Anthony Russell of Dorset, VT and Martha Russell Wade of Bend, OR. He was predeceased by his sister Mary Ellen Russell Schoenbucher of Portsmouth, RI.

John’s life made his values abundantly clear: love of family and friends. His favorite song was Louis Armstrong’s “What a Wonderful World”, and he personified gratitude and optimism every day of his life. We are all fortunate to have known him and will miss him always.

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to the following organizations and encourages everyone to consider becoming an organ donor:

Boston University School of Medicine

Amyloid Research Fund

72 East Concord Street, K-503

Boston, MA 02118

Habitat for Humanity of Rutland County VT

6 Court Street

Rutland, VT 05701