Richard W. Russell Sr., 80, of South Windsor, beloved husband of Beverly (Lassen) Russell died unexpectedly on Sunday, May 8, 2022, at home. Richard was born in Hartford, CT, on April 17, 1942, son of the late Arthur and Alice (Adamson) Russell. He grew up in West Hartford and was a graduate of Hall High School. He served our country during the Vietnam War with the U.S. Air Force, and later transferred to the U.S. Air Guard. He married the love of his life, Beverly Lassen on October 13, 1960. Richard was a sheet metal engineer and worked for the Local Union #40 for many years. He enjoyed boating, fishing, camping, working on cars, guns, and driving his corvette. He was a talented man and could make or fix anything with wood or sheet metal. Most of all he loved his family and cherished every moment he had to spend with his children, and grandchildren. Along with his wife Beverly of over 61 years, he leaves his children, Elizabeth George of Broad Brook, Richard Russell Jr., and his wife Sharon of Coventry, Virginia Thivierge of Manchester, and April Piela and her husband David of Vernon; his grandchildren, Brittany Quesnel and her husband Steve, Alexandra George, Rebecca George, Matthew Thivierge, Andrew Thivierge, Jacob Thivierge, Whitney Russell, and Kira Piela; and his great grandchildren, Aubrey and Charlotte. He also leaves his sister-in-law Shirley Wold of Minneapolis, MN. He was predeceased by his infant daughter, Cynthia Russell, his brothers, Thomas Russell, and Arthur Russell, and his faithful companion and loving friend, his dog Bear. His family will receive friends on Sunday, May 15, 2022, from 2-5 p.m., at the Samsel & Carmon Funeral Home, 419 Buckland Rd., South Windsor. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, May 16, 2022, at 10 a.m., meeting directly at St. Margaret Mary Church, 80 Hayes Rd., South Windsor. Burial will follow with Military Honors at Wapping Cemetery in South Windsor. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to DAV- Disabled American Veterans PO Box 14301, Cincinnati, OH 45250-0301.