Charles W. Russell

It is with deep love that we mourn the loss of Charles W. Russell, who passed away at 84 after a two-year battle with pancreatic cancer on November 13, 2021. Surrounded by Colette, his wife of 60 years, and his four children, he was dishing out witty one-liners to the very end.

Known as Charlie to his friends and Poppy to his family, he passed away peacefully at home in New York City.

A lover of language (he spoke five), Charlie enjoyed Italian and French music and easily finished the New York Times crossword every day. East Hampton was his true happy place where he gardened, grilled, and swam in the ocean every chance he got. He loved to travel, sing, cook and attend cabarets. He did not love complainers, passwords, and speed limits.

Always elegantly dressed, Charlie celebrated life, and loved throwing and going to parties, where he and Colette often evoked Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers on the dance floor. He was a classic gentleman who connected with all types of people across all age groups and walks of life. His dry sense of humor kept his family and friends laughing.

A graduate of Georgetown University and a lifelong learner, Charlie seemed to know everything about everything. He and his fellow Hoyas formed an enduring and entertaining group well known throughout the alumni community as the 59ers. Charlie enjoyed a successful career in the global specialty chemical trading and distribution industry before moving into entrepreneurial investing in real estate, movies, manufacturing, and restaurants. He walked to work every day and never retired.

Charlie is survived by his wife Colette, his children, Charles Jr., Chris, Nicole, and Monique, his 8 grandchildren, Charlie, William, Matthew, Amelie, Sebastien, Tristan, George and Luke, his daughter and sons-in-law, Stapley, Terry, and Samie, his sisters, Madeline and Terry, and sister-in-law Yvonne. Mass will be held at St. Vincent Ferrer on Thursday, December 2, at 10:30am.

Rest in peace, dear Poppy.

Donations in Charlie's memory may be sent to:

Sisters of the Divine Compassion

52 North Broadway

White Plains, NY 10603

www.divinecompassion.org