Eugene Russell

Gene Russell was a good man, with a great life, a life so full of successes, so full of family, faith, and friendship. He was a loyal and loving husband, father, grandfather and friend, and a beloved member of his community. Gene carried the rosary with him wherever he went, and faithfully prayed to God each day, thanking him for his many blessings, just as we were so blessed to have known him. Gene's story began on a warm spring day in 1933, in the bustling city of Grand Rapids, Michigan. Those were such turbulent times in this country, which was caught in the teeth of the Great Depression. Yet on May 6, 1933, Anthony and Barbara (Wesley) Russell found reason to celebrate, with the birth of a baby boy, a son they named Eugene Karlyle Russell. Gene joined his older brother John in the family's home, and little brother Thomas joined the family nine years later. Gene was raised in Muskegon, where his dad found work at Bennett Pumps as a laborer. The family didn't have much growing up, but his parents taught Gene to be proud of what they had and to always look presentable. The family was devoutly Catholic, and because his parents never drove, they would walk to St. Jean's Parish for church each Sunday, where Gene was an altar boy. Gene and his brothers attended St. Jean's Catholic School, and graduated before Muskegon had Catholic Central High School. Gene was very popular in school, even voted Class President, and also played basketball, earning the nickname "Ozzie" from his teammates. One night at a dance with St. Mary's Catholic School, Gene got a chance to dance with a beautiful young cheerleader he'd seen at sporting events. Her name was Rosalie Stuparits, and the sparks flew between them on that dance floor, and a lifelong romance ensued. Four years after they graduated in 1951, the happy couple was married, on June 4, 1955, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, beginning a wonderful life together. Gene was enlisted in the military at the time, serving his country stateside in Detroit during the Korean War, and was honorably discharged shortly after their wedding. Gene began taking some college classes at Muskegon Community College, and in 1956, he and Rosalie moved to Ann Arbor, where Gene attended the University of Michigan for his Bachelor's degree in business, and later his MBA. While they lived in Ann Arbor, Gene and Rosalie also became parents, with the birth of their first child, Brad, in 1958. The following year, they moved back to Muskegon, where Gene went to work for Sealed Power. The growing family bought a home on Crescent Street in Muskegon Heights. Their daughter Gina was born in 1960, and their son Scott rounded out the happy family in 1962. Completing the family was their cocker spaniel Sandy. Gene loved Sandy so much, they had three spaniels over the years, with each one named Sandy! Gene was a hardworking man, and dedicated to his work in Employee Relations at Sealed Power. He worked long hours in the high-pressure job, with one of his duties as lead negotiator with the unions. In 1966, the family moved to a beautiful home on Applewood Lane in Norton Shores, just a stone's throw from Lake Michigan, a home they would love so much, and where they would form so many wonderful memories together. The family transferred their church membership to St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church, where they became very active, serving as ushers, and on many boards and committees over the years. Gene also became very active with several community organizations, as well. He belonged to the Knights of Columbus, the Muskegon Sports Fishing Association, and was served on the Board of Goodwill Industries. In the mid-1970s, Gene became head of Human Relations at Muskegon Piston Ring, a job with better advancement opportunity, and eventually became Vice President for Human Resources there. It was an excellent job, and afforded his family a wonderful life. The Russells did so much together, and summers were filled with great vacations, from Florida, to California, Boston, Washington D.C. and elsewhere. They also went to Colorado for ski trips, one of Gene's passions. Many winter weekends were spent on ski trips up north with friends. Despite being so busy, Gene was a very active and attentive father, coaching their Little League teams, taking the boys to hockey practice, and trying to never miss one of their activities. He doted on his daughter, teaching her to be independent, from changing her own oil, to how to take care of herself. He also made sure each of his kids found the right college for themselves. When their children were grown, Gene and Rosalie's love continued to blossom, and they shared so many special times together. Rosalie worked as a travel consultant for 20 years, giving them a chance to see many wonderful places. Their most memorable trip was a surprise adventure to Australia and New Zealand in the 1980s, and Gene'family still remembers the look on his face when he opened his Christmas gift that year! In 1994, Gene received a career blow, when Piston Ring was bought out, and he was replaced. He was just 60 years old, incredibly active, and for a man who could "never sit still," retirement wasn't an option. So he started two businesses, EKR & Associates, which did human resources consulting, and also turned his woodworking hobby into a business, too. Gene was a master woodworker, and his friend Arnie joined him in his new crown molding and trim company. He and Rosalie also kept a busy social calendar, from their many, many lifelong friends, to his brothers and their extended families, to especially, their grandkids. Gene doted on his granddaughters, taking them fishing, boating, or just for long walks on the beach. (He did keep pushing for a grandson, though!). Gene's life wasn't without its challenges, though, and he suffered his share of health problems over the years. In the 1980s, he developed ulcerative colitis, and in 1996, he successfully battled prostate cancer. In 2000, he developed diabetes, and not long after, he had a heart stint put in. Through it all, he never slowed down, and always fought his troubles with great strength and faith. He was never without his faith. Every morning, he awoke and said a prayer he kept on his nightstand, a prayer that "thanked God for each new day and for their wonderful life together." Sadly, Gene suffered a massive, unexpected stroke on Thursday, June 14, 2007, and died the next day, surrounded by his beloved family and friends, at the age of 74. Gene was a wonderful man, who lived a wonderful life, a life so full of successes, so full of faith, family and fond memories. He prayed each day to thank the Lord, for the life he led, for the family he was so blessed with. We were so blessed to have shared it with him. He will be greatly missed. Gene is survived by his wife of 52 years, Rosalie; 2 sons, Brad (Katie) Russell of Norton Shores and Scott (Susan) Russell of N. Barrington, IL; daughter, Gina (Richard) DeLong of Madison, AL; 5 grandchildren, Ashton and Andrea DeLong, Victoria "Tory" and Samantha "Sami" Russell, and Alexis "Lexi" Russell; 2 brothers, John (Bettejean) Russell of Norton Shores and Thomas (Judy) Russell of Grand Rapids; sister-in-law, Maryann (Robert) Winicki of Roosevelt Park; and brother-in-law, John (Lottie) Stuparits of Norton Shores. A memorial service is Tuesday, June 19, 2007, 2:00 PM, at St. Francis deSales Catholic Church with Fr. Thomas Simon officiating. Visitation is Monday, 6-8 PM, at Clock Life Story Funeral Home - Muskegon and Tuesday, 1 hour prior to the service at the church. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church Building Fund or American Cancer Society. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com to share a memory or photo or sign the online guest book.