Obituary of Sidney H. Russell

Sidney H. Russell, “Sid” age 75, of Plymouth, passed away peacefully on Friday May 29, 2020 at Seasons Hospice in Milton. He was the beloved husband of Leanna L. (Kelley) Russell.

Born in Sheldon, VT in 1945, he was the son of the late Hugh G. and Ruby E. (Greenwood) Russell.  Sid remembered with fondness growing up on a dairy farm, and then moving to Spencer, MA where he graduated from David Prouty HS.  He continued his studies at Bridgewater State College where he earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Biology.  Sid also earned two Master’s Degrees in Education from Suffolk University.

In 1967 Sid began his teaching career at Silver Lake Junior High where after many years of teaching biology and physical science, he joined the administrative team as an assistant principal, later becoming the building principal.  Students found his love for science infectious, and that he was also dedicated to students outside of the classroom.  He planned and DJ-ed dances, chaperoned skiing and camping trips, organized candy sales to support student activities and coached debate at the high school.  Many students’ lives were enhanced by his efforts.  As an assistant principal dealing with discipline, parents and students appreciated his compassion and fairness.  While principal, he lead the school’s change from a junior high to a middle school philosophy.  He was a mentor to SIlver Lake teachers as they made this transition, and a resource nationally to other schools doing the same.  In 1999 he was named the Massachusetts Middle School Principal of the Year.  After his retirement from the Silver Lake Regional School District, he became a technology specialist for the Abington Public Schools. 

Sid embraced an active life.  He loved to travel, and he co-founded Odyssey ‘73, taking students on cross country camping trips to national parks during the summer, and to historical sites and Walt Disney World on school vacations.  He enjoyed European travel and cruising to the Caribbean and through the Panama Canal. He owned a small plane and flew extensively around New England.  He especially enjoyed fishing for large mouth bass and brook trout.  He used the carpentry skills his father taught him to put a second story on his home and to help friends with their additions, barn-raisings and sheds. He was an amateur photographer and a function DJ.  His interests were varied and his talents were great.

Sid is survived by his loving wife Leanna, and his sister Ellen R. Godin and her husband Hubert (Sonny) of Bass Harbor Maine, and nieces and nephew.  He was predeceased by his sister Claudia B. Maine and brother Norman P. Russell.

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, family and friends will gather to celebrate Sid’s life at a later time.  

Memorial donations can be made to the Parkinson’s Foundation at www.parkinson.org