James R. Russell

James R. Russell, 89, March 3, 1926–March 29, 2015, passed away peacefully on Sunday, March 29 in Durham, NC.
Born in Brooklyn, NY to George Russell and Nora McCarthy, James was a member of the “Greatest Generation”. He proudly served in the U.S. Navy during World War II and maintained his loyalty to country and service members throughout his life. Following the War, James earned his bachelor’s and accounting (CPA) degrees from Columbia University.
James married Lillian Russell in 1950, and together they raised Timothy and Thomas Russell and Kathleen Russell Montalbano. Lillian passed away in 1993, and in 1995, James married Priscilla Meyer of Manhasset.
In business, James advanced to become a Vice President at Andlinger and Co, an international investment banking firm. In pursuit of his loyalty to service members, James was an active member of Manhasset Post 304 of the American Legion and served as Commander from 2003 to 2005.
James is survived by his wife, Priscilla, sons, Timothy (Lynn) and Thomas Russell, daughter, Kathleen Montalbano (John), stepsons, Fred (Alice) and Kevin Meyer, and stepdaughter, Georgia Alexander. He is grandfather to Michael and Lauren Russell and Robert and David Montalbano, and step-grandfather to Jonathan Alexander and Evelyn Meyer. He recently became a great-grandfather to Oliver Montalbano.
James loved spending time on the water, walking the beach, traveling to beach destinations with his family and dining waterside with friends at Port Washington Yacht Club, where he was a member. James also had a special connection with children. He truly loved children and was loved by them in return. Having lost his father at age 5, James felt that his most important role was that of a father, stepfather and grandfather, and he fulfilled that role with great success.
A memorial service will be held at Howerton and Bryan Funeral Home in Durham, NC, on April 18, 2015 at 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, James requested that gifts in his name be made to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI).