PORTLAND — Richard L. Russell, 79, died March 14 at his home in Portland.
He was born in Houlton on Aug. 28, 1929, the son of Lawrence A. and Nellie (DeWitt) Russell.
In 1952, he graduated from the University of Maine.
For the next twenty years, he held several managerial positions at Sears Roebuck and Company.
In 1972, he purchased two stores, the A.W. Larsen Card and Gift Store and Alvina and Delia Women’s apparel store in Waterville, which he and his wife, Lillian, operated until 1992.
He was also active in local merchant associations, including Waterville Area Chamber of Commerce, Waterville Downtown Merchants’ Association and charter member of the Waterville Downtown Development Association.
His hobbies included hunting, fishing and spending time in the woods.
He was predeceased by his wife, Lillian, in 1999, a son, Thomas, in 2004, and daughter, Laura, in 2007.
Surviving are his brother Robert of Augusta; sons Andrew and his wife, Debra of Gorham, William and his wife, Josephine of Woburn, Mass., and daughter in-law, Diane Russell of Winslow; six grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be held from 10-11 a.m. on Wednesday, March 18, at the Conroy-Tully Crawford Funeral Home, 172 State St., Portland. An 11 a.m. service will follow.
Arrangements are by Conroy-Tully Crawford Funeral Home, 172 State St., Portland.
Russell