HARPSWELL — Russell Warren Packett, 57, passed away surrounded by his loving family at the Gosnell Memorial Hospice House in Scarborough, Maine, on Tuesday, October 31, 2017. Born to Manuel and Bernice (Dutra) Packett at Cape Cod Hospital in Hyannis, Massachusetts, on May 27, 1960, Russell arrived with an infectious passion for life. This passion was always on display especially in matters of family, music and sports.

Russell’s formative years were spent near and along the sandy beaches of Brewster, Massachusetts, beginning a life-long love affair with all things water. He also learned the value of hard work early in life living above and working in his parents’ grocery store, Packett’s Market.

He attended Nauset Regional High School where he excelled as a three-sport athlete: soccer, basketball and golf. While golf and sports in general would remain important, it was his passion for basketball that would become a centerpiece of his life. He moved his young family to Maine in 1993 to pursue a career in sports recreation. Over the intervening 24 years, Russell’s passion for basketball manifested itself in two major ways: One personal, one professional. He created, developed and managed a youth recreation basketball league which has and continues to positively impact thousands of youngsters across Western and Southern Maine. At the same time, Russell began a journey on a path to becoming one of Maine’s top rated high school basketball officials. At the time of his passing he was employed as the Director of Community Services for the Town of Cape Elizabeth, Maine.

“Off season” would find Russell sharing his love of all things water — the ocean, the rivers, the beach, the pool — with his children and his precious grandchildren. He would be most content enjoying a relaxing afternoon with feet up, a cool drink in hand and family and friends gathered about. And, while seldom, if ever, in doubt, Russell was willing to at least consider new experiences. This was most evident in his willingness to allow his wife, Peggy, to expand his horizons beyond the shore to the green rolling hills of Kentucky with its bluegrass pastures and iconic bourbon trail.

Russell is survived by his wife, Peggy Scales Packett, children: Sam Reifman-Packett, Andrew Reifman-Packett, Katherine and Ryan Baughman, Michael Vance, and Shelby Vance; granddaughters McKenna and Avery Baughman; parents Manuel and Bernice Packett; siblings: James and his wife Betty, Patricia Christensen and her husband Jack, Marilyn Smith and her husband Jeff, and Alan and his wife Marcia. He is predeceased by his first wife Elizabeth “Betsy” Reifman and brother-in-law Marshall Lopes.

A celebration of life for Russell will be held on Sunday, Nov. 19, at 1 p.m. at The Hilton Garden Inn Ballroom, 5 Park Street, Freeport, Maine. Please dress for comfort and “Russell” colors are encouraged.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Chad E. Poitras Cremation and Funeral Service, Buxton. Online condolence messages can be submitted at www.mainefuneral.com.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made by sending a check to the “MRPA — Russell Packett Scholarship” c/o MRPA, P.O. Box 6828, Scarborough, ME 04070.