Born Joseph Aloysius Smythe, the son of Aloysius Joseph Smythe and Mary Adelaide Rectenwald (later Maryan Winter), husband of Jean M. Panewich, whom he married on June 24, 1951 in Brookhaven, NY, and father of Dana, Vance, and Kurt Russell Jr. Grandson of Louis Aloysius Rectenwald and Elizabeth Gertrude Winter.
“Kurt Russell was born as "Joseph Aloysius Smythe", son of Mary Adelaide Rectenwald and Aloysius Joseph Smythe. Mary and Aloysius divorced and Mary changed her last name from Smythe to Winter - that is her mother's maiden name. Joseph changed his name to Kurt Russell when he began his radio career. This is from my grandmother's notes - she was Mary's older sister.” -Joyce Shepet.
In 1930, shown as David Smythe, aged 6 months, he was living at 172 Merrimac Street, Pittsburgh, Allegheny, Pa, in the home of his parents, Alowishes Smythe, aged 36, and Mary A. Smythe, aged 25, with siblings, Louise Smythe, aged 4, and Joan Smythe, aged 3, all born in Pennsylvania. His father was shown to be a steam fitter for a pipe company.
In 1940, Joseph Smythe, aged 10, was living at 181 Hallock, Pittsburgh, Allegheny, Pa., in the home of his father, Aloysius Smythe, aged 45, with siblings, Lois Smythe, aged 14, Joan Smythe, aged 12, and Howard Smythe, aged 8. His father was shown to be a steam fitter.
Marriage - SMYTHE—PANEWICH - Mr. and Mrs. Bruno Panewich of 15 Pitt street, Patchogue, have announced the marriage of their daughter, Miss Jean Panewich, to Private Joseph Smythe of Obelisk, Pa., June 23 in Yonkers at the home of Justice Eustace J. Farley. After a wedding trip through Delaware and Pennsylvania they returned to the bride's home. Mrs. Smythe was graduated from Patchogue High school and is employed as a supervisor with the New York Telephone company, Patchogue. Her husband who was graduated from Dormonty High school in Pittsburgh, was employed by the Long Island Rail Road before entering the service. He is in the Army Signal corps and has left for the Far East.
Obituary - Radio personality Kurt Russell of Bellport, who collapsed while doing a program at WALK in April of last year and was taken to Brookhaven Memorial Hospital, died there last Wednesday (April 18) after a continuous hospitalization. He was 49. Mr. Russell's broadcasting career began in Patchogue station WALK in 1956. He later was employed at Connecticut stations WELI (New Haven) and WDRC (Hartford); 50,000 watt stations in Pittsburgh, Pa. (KDKA) and WIND (Chicago); Chicago station WMAQ and returned to stations WALK and WRIV (Riverhead). He had announced for WALK for the past eight years. A spokesman for WALK, News Director Frank Brinka, stated, "We will all miss him and remember him fondly. He always helped younger people, young broadcasters just starting their careers, taking time to show them things and critique them." A United States Army veteran, Mr. Russell saw service in the Korean War. He is survived by his wife, Jean; three sons, Dana and Vance, both of Bellport, and Kurt Jr., of Athens, Greece; two sisters, Jo Ann Ackman of California and Lois Gooding of Maryland; and by a brother, Mark Smythe of Ohio. The Ruland Funeral Home, Patchogue was in charge of arrangements. Private cremation was held last Thursday at Washington Memorial Park, Coram. Memorial services were held Monday evening at the Patchogue Congregational Church with the Rev. Henry G. Wyman, D.D., officiating.
"KURT RUSSELL - April 9, 1962-January, 1963
Promoted as "Kurt Russell--the voice with muscle," he came to WDRC as one of The Friendly Five. He replaced Art Johnson as midday host from 10AM-3PM, and was later heard on a split shift between noon-3PM and 6-10PM. He was a master at character voices and frequently had drop-in "guests" on his show like Arthur Godfrey and Tony Marvin. He worked at WRIV prior to his death.
PRIOR: WELI New Haven, CT
AFTER: KDKA Pittsburgh, PA; WIND Chicago, IL; WMAQ Chicago, IL; WALK Patchogue, NY; WRIV Riverhead, NY
TODAY: Kurt died April 18, 1979 at the age of 49, after several months in a coma; read a note from his daughter (10-15-01)."
Military -
Branch: ARMY
Enlistment Date: 13 Feb 1951
Release Date: 13 Dec 1952
(Records of Cedar Grove Cemetery; 1930, 1940 US Federal Census; The Patchogue advance., July 12, 1951, Page 11; The Long Island advance., April 27, 1979, Page 21; WDRC.org, Personalities, Kurt Russell; Kurt Russell in the U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014; Kurt Russell in the U.S., Department of Veterans Affairs BIRLS Death File, 1850-2010; Joyce Shepet
“Kurt Russell was born as "Joseph Aloysius Smythe", son of Mary Adelaide Rectenwald and Aloysius Joseph Smythe. Mary and Aloysius divorced and Mary changed her last name from Smythe to Winter - that is her mother's maiden name. Joseph changed his name to Kurt Russell when he began his radio career. This is from my grandmother's notes - she was Mary's older sister.” -Joyce Shepet.
In 1930, shown as David Smythe, aged 6 months, he was living at 172 Merrimac Street, Pittsburgh, Allegheny, Pa, in the home of his parents, Alowishes Smythe, aged 36, and Mary A. Smythe, aged 25, with siblings, Louise Smythe, aged 4, and Joan Smythe, aged 3, all born in Pennsylvania. His father was shown to be a steam fitter for a pipe company.
In 1940, Joseph Smythe, aged 10, was living at 181 Hallock, Pittsburgh, Allegheny, Pa., in the home of his father, Aloysius Smythe, aged 45, with siblings, Lois Smythe, aged 14, Joan Smythe, aged 12, and Howard Smythe, aged 8. His father was shown to be a steam fitter.
Marriage - SMYTHE—PANEWICH - Mr. and Mrs. Bruno Panewich of 15 Pitt street, Patchogue, have announced the marriage of their daughter, Miss Jean Panewich, to Private Joseph Smythe of Obelisk, Pa., June 23 in Yonkers at the home of Justice Eustace J. Farley. After a wedding trip through Delaware and Pennsylvania they returned to the bride's home. Mrs. Smythe was graduated from Patchogue High school and is employed as a supervisor with the New York Telephone company, Patchogue. Her husband who was graduated from Dormonty High school in Pittsburgh, was employed by the Long Island Rail Road before entering the service. He is in the Army Signal corps and has left for the Far East.
Obituary - Radio personality Kurt Russell of Bellport, who collapsed while doing a program at WALK in April of last year and was taken to Brookhaven Memorial Hospital, died there last Wednesday (April 18) after a continuous hospitalization. He was 49. Mr. Russell's broadcasting career began in Patchogue station WALK in 1956. He later was employed at Connecticut stations WELI (New Haven) and WDRC (Hartford); 50,000 watt stations in Pittsburgh, Pa. (KDKA) and WIND (Chicago); Chicago station WMAQ and returned to stations WALK and WRIV (Riverhead). He had announced for WALK for the past eight years. A spokesman for WALK, News Director Frank Brinka, stated, "We will all miss him and remember him fondly. He always helped younger people, young broadcasters just starting their careers, taking time to show them things and critique them." A United States Army veteran, Mr. Russell saw service in the Korean War. He is survived by his wife, Jean; three sons, Dana and Vance, both of Bellport, and Kurt Jr., of Athens, Greece; two sisters, Jo Ann Ackman of California and Lois Gooding of Maryland; and by a brother, Mark Smythe of Ohio. The Ruland Funeral Home, Patchogue was in charge of arrangements. Private cremation was held last Thursday at Washington Memorial Park, Coram. Memorial services were held Monday evening at the Patchogue Congregational Church with the Rev. Henry G. Wyman, D.D., officiating.
"KURT RUSSELL - April 9, 1962-January, 1963
Promoted as "Kurt Russell--the voice with muscle," he came to WDRC as one of The Friendly Five. He replaced Art Johnson as midday host from 10AM-3PM, and was later heard on a split shift between noon-3PM and 6-10PM. He was a master at character voices and frequently had drop-in "guests" on his show like Arthur Godfrey and Tony Marvin. He worked at WRIV prior to his death.
PRIOR: WELI New Haven, CT
AFTER: KDKA Pittsburgh, PA; WIND Chicago, IL; WMAQ Chicago, IL; WALK Patchogue, NY; WRIV Riverhead, NY
TODAY: Kurt died April 18, 1979 at the age of 49, after several months in a coma; read a note from his daughter (10-15-01)."
Military -
Branch: ARMY
Enlistment Date: 13 Feb 1951
Release Date: 13 Dec 1952
(Records of Cedar Grove Cemetery; 1930, 1940 US Federal Census; The Patchogue advance., July 12, 1951, Page 11; The Long Island advance., April 27, 1979, Page 21; WDRC.org, Personalities, Kurt Russell; Kurt Russell in the U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014; Kurt Russell in the U.S., Department of Veterans Affairs BIRLS Death File, 1850-2010; Joyce Shepet
Born Joseph Aloysius Smythe, the son of Aloysius Joseph Smythe and Mary Adelaide Rectenwald (later Maryan Winter), husband of Jean M. Panewich, whom he married on June 24, 1951 in Brookhaven, NY, and father of Dana, Vance, and Kurt Russell Jr. Grandson of Louis Aloysius Rectenwald and Elizabeth Gertrude Winter.
“Kurt Russell was born as "Joseph Aloysius Smythe", son of Mary Adelaide Rectenwald and Aloysius Joseph Smythe. Mary and Aloysius divorced and Mary changed her last name from Smythe to Winter - that is her mother's maiden name. Joseph changed his name to Kurt Russell when he began his radio career. This is from my grandmother's notes - she was Mary's older sister.” -Joyce Shepet.
In 1930, shown as David Smythe, aged 6 months, he was living at 172 Merrimac Street, Pittsburgh, Allegheny, Pa, in the home of his parents, Alowishes Smythe, aged 36, and Mary A. Smythe, aged 25, with siblings, Louise Smythe, aged 4, and Joan Smythe, aged 3, all born in Pennsylvania. His father was shown to be a steam fitter for a pipe company.
In 1940, Joseph Smythe, aged 10, was living at 181 Hallock, Pittsburgh, Allegheny, Pa., in the home of his father, Aloysius Smythe, aged 45, with siblings, Lois Smythe, aged 14, Joan Smythe, aged 12, and Howard Smythe, aged 8. His father was shown to be a steam fitter.
Marriage - SMYTHE—PANEWICH - Mr. and Mrs. Bruno Panewich of 15 Pitt street, Patchogue, have announced the marriage of their daughter, Miss Jean Panewich, to Private Joseph Smythe of Obelisk, Pa., June 23 in Yonkers at the home of Justice Eustace J. Farley. After a wedding trip through Delaware and Pennsylvania they returned to the bride's home. Mrs. Smythe was graduated from Patchogue High school and is employed as a supervisor with the New York Telephone company, Patchogue. Her husband who was graduated from Dormonty High school in Pittsburgh, was employed by the Long Island Rail Road before entering the service. He is in the Army Signal corps and has left for the Far East.
Obituary - Radio personality Kurt Russell of Bellport, who collapsed while doing a program at WALK in April of last year and was taken to Brookhaven Memorial Hospital, died there last Wednesday (April 18) after a continuous hospitalization. He was 49. Mr. Russell's broadcasting career began in Patchogue station WALK in 1956. He later was employed at Connecticut stations WELI (New Haven) and WDRC (Hartford); 50,000 watt stations in Pittsburgh, Pa. (KDKA) and WIND (Chicago); Chicago station WMAQ and returned to stations WALK and WRIV (Riverhead). He had announced for WALK for the past eight years. A spokesman for WALK, News Director Frank Brinka, stated, "We will all miss him and remember him fondly. He always helped younger people, young broadcasters just starting their careers, taking time to show them things and critique them." A United States Army veteran, Mr. Russell saw service in the Korean War. He is survived by his wife, Jean; three sons, Dana and Vance, both of Bellport, and Kurt Jr., of Athens, Greece; two sisters, Jo Ann Ackman of California and Lois Gooding of Maryland; and by a brother, Mark Smythe of Ohio. The Ruland Funeral Home, Patchogue was in charge of arrangements. Private cremation was held last Thursday at Washington Memorial Park, Coram. Memorial services were held Monday evening at the Patchogue Congregational Church with the Rev. Henry G. Wyman, D.D., officiating.
"KURT RUSSELL - April 9, 1962-January, 1963
Promoted as "Kurt Russell--the voice with muscle," he came to WDRC as one of The Friendly Five. He replaced Art Johnson as midday host from 10AM-3PM, and was later heard on a split shift between noon-3PM and 6-10PM. He was a master at character voices and frequently had drop-in "guests" on his show like Arthur Godfrey and Tony Marvin. He worked at WRIV prior to his death.
PRIOR: WELI New Haven, CT
AFTER: KDKA Pittsburgh, PA; WIND Chicago, IL; WMAQ Chicago, IL; WALK Patchogue, NY; WRIV Riverhead, NY
TODAY: Kurt died April 18, 1979 at the age of 49, after several months in a coma; read a note from his daughter (10-15-01)."
Military -
Branch: ARMY
Enlistment Date: 13 Feb 1951
Release Date: 13 Dec 1952
(Records of Cedar Grove Cemetery; 1930, 1940 US Federal Census; The Patchogue advance., July 12, 1951, Page 11; The Long Island advance., April 27, 1979, Page 21; WDRC.org, Personalities, Kurt Russell; Kurt Russell in the U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014; Kurt Russell in the U.S., Department of Veterans Affairs BIRLS Death File, 1850-2010; Joyce Shepet
“Kurt Russell was born as "Joseph Aloysius Smythe", son of Mary Adelaide Rectenwald and Aloysius Joseph Smythe. Mary and Aloysius divorced and Mary changed her last name from Smythe to Winter - that is her mother's maiden name. Joseph changed his name to Kurt Russell when he began his radio career. This is from my grandmother's notes - she was Mary's older sister.” -Joyce Shepet.
In 1930, shown as David Smythe, aged 6 months, he was living at 172 Merrimac Street, Pittsburgh, Allegheny, Pa, in the home of his parents, Alowishes Smythe, aged 36, and Mary A. Smythe, aged 25, with siblings, Louise Smythe, aged 4, and Joan Smythe, aged 3, all born in Pennsylvania. His father was shown to be a steam fitter for a pipe company.
In 1940, Joseph Smythe, aged 10, was living at 181 Hallock, Pittsburgh, Allegheny, Pa., in the home of his father, Aloysius Smythe, aged 45, with siblings, Lois Smythe, aged 14, Joan Smythe, aged 12, and Howard Smythe, aged 8. His father was shown to be a steam fitter.
Marriage - SMYTHE—PANEWICH - Mr. and Mrs. Bruno Panewich of 15 Pitt street, Patchogue, have announced the marriage of their daughter, Miss Jean Panewich, to Private Joseph Smythe of Obelisk, Pa., June 23 in Yonkers at the home of Justice Eustace J. Farley. After a wedding trip through Delaware and Pennsylvania they returned to the bride's home. Mrs. Smythe was graduated from Patchogue High school and is employed as a supervisor with the New York Telephone company, Patchogue. Her husband who was graduated from Dormonty High school in Pittsburgh, was employed by the Long Island Rail Road before entering the service. He is in the Army Signal corps and has left for the Far East.
Obituary - Radio personality Kurt Russell of Bellport, who collapsed while doing a program at WALK in April of last year and was taken to Brookhaven Memorial Hospital, died there last Wednesday (April 18) after a continuous hospitalization. He was 49. Mr. Russell's broadcasting career began in Patchogue station WALK in 1956. He later was employed at Connecticut stations WELI (New Haven) and WDRC (Hartford); 50,000 watt stations in Pittsburgh, Pa. (KDKA) and WIND (Chicago); Chicago station WMAQ and returned to stations WALK and WRIV (Riverhead). He had announced for WALK for the past eight years. A spokesman for WALK, News Director Frank Brinka, stated, "We will all miss him and remember him fondly. He always helped younger people, young broadcasters just starting their careers, taking time to show them things and critique them." A United States Army veteran, Mr. Russell saw service in the Korean War. He is survived by his wife, Jean; three sons, Dana and Vance, both of Bellport, and Kurt Jr., of Athens, Greece; two sisters, Jo Ann Ackman of California and Lois Gooding of Maryland; and by a brother, Mark Smythe of Ohio. The Ruland Funeral Home, Patchogue was in charge of arrangements. Private cremation was held last Thursday at Washington Memorial Park, Coram. Memorial services were held Monday evening at the Patchogue Congregational Church with the Rev. Henry G. Wyman, D.D., officiating.
"KURT RUSSELL - April 9, 1962-January, 1963
Promoted as "Kurt Russell--the voice with muscle," he came to WDRC as one of The Friendly Five. He replaced Art Johnson as midday host from 10AM-3PM, and was later heard on a split shift between noon-3PM and 6-10PM. He was a master at character voices and frequently had drop-in "guests" on his show like Arthur Godfrey and Tony Marvin. He worked at WRIV prior to his death.
PRIOR: WELI New Haven, CT
AFTER: KDKA Pittsburgh, PA; WIND Chicago, IL; WMAQ Chicago, IL; WALK Patchogue, NY; WRIV Riverhead, NY
TODAY: Kurt died April 18, 1979 at the age of 49, after several months in a coma; read a note from his daughter (10-15-01)."
Military -
Branch: ARMY
Enlistment Date: 13 Feb 1951
Release Date: 13 Dec 1952
(Records of Cedar Grove Cemetery; 1930, 1940 US Federal Census; The Patchogue advance., July 12, 1951, Page 11; The Long Island advance., April 27, 1979, Page 21; WDRC.org, Personalities, Kurt Russell; Kurt Russell in the U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014; Kurt Russell in the U.S., Department of Veterans Affairs BIRLS Death File, 1850-2010; Joyce Shepet
Inscription
1903 Bruno Panewich 1975
1905 Bertha Panewich 1989
1929 Kurt Russell 1979
Gravesite Details
Buried in the Panewich family plot with his in-laws, Bruno and Bertha Conner Panewich. On October 9th, 2020, the cremains of Jean Russell, Dana Russell and Jennifer Russell were added to the gravesite.
Family Members
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