John Walter Russell
John Walter Russell 89, of Hudson, passed away on November 10, 2024 at Lowell General Hospital in Lowell, MA. John was born in Nashua, NH on November 4, 1935, the son of George Francis Russell Sr and Evelyn (Converse) Russell. He was raised in Greenfield NH, graduating from Peterborough High School in 1953, NH Voc. Tech. 1955, Northeastern University in 1969-70, Lowell Tech from 1971-1973. John worked at International Business in Waltham, Mass and then at Textron Inc. in Burlington, MA for over 35 years till the plant closed.
He is predeceased by his parents, his brothers, George Jr., Dana, and his sister Jane, as well as his daughter Debra Russell Washington.
John is survived by his wife Janice E. (Munson) Russell who he met through Janice’s sister and brother-in-law, Bea and Bob in 1964 at Meadows on Central St in Hudson. They were married in May 1967 and shared 57 wonderful years together.
John is also survived by his brother, Dr. Robert Russell and his wife Paulett, sister-in- law, Judy Molkentine, sister and brother-in-law Bea and Bob Locke, son Harold A.M. Russell and his wife Debbie, 7 Grandchildren: Jammie (Russell) LaBarge and her Husband Chris, Mark Russell, Kyle Russell, Nicole Russell, Jennifer Russell and Joshua Russell and his wife Christine, 13 great-grandchildren, and 3 great-great grandchildren, as well as many nieces and nephews.
John loved hunting in Greenfield, NH with his father, family and friends, and was even fortunate to have shot a bear one year. He was also an avid car enthusiast, building his first Street rod; a 1933 Ford pickup right after graduating high school that he later converted to drag racing in Sanford, ME, New England Dragway in NH and several other places winning may trophies and awards. He later went on to build a 1938 2 door Chevy Sedan and then a 1931 Ford Roadster which he showed at many car shows and cruise nights, Burlington VT Street Rod Show many times. He even went to the Daytona Car Show in Florida, winning many trophies and awards, even honored to have both the 1931 and 1938 cars entered at the World of Wheels. John and Janice also belonged to the Carbon Scrapers Car Club. He put his heart and soul into these cars and they were his pride and joy. John was a very generous and kind man who was willing to help out anyone in need. John will be greatly missed.
A Celebration of his life will be held on Saturday May 3, 2025, at 2pm at the First Baptist Church located at 236 Central St. Hudson, NH. If you have a Street Rod or Special car, please bring it. John would love that.