(First appeared in the July 22nd edition of the Vermont Standard)
By Gareth Henderson
Standard Staff
The Standard learned just before deadline that well-known community figure Will Russell died at age 63, after a short illness. A celebration of his life will be held at his home at 37 Brothers Road in Hartland on Tuesday, July 27 at 4 p.m.
Russell was the founder and manager of Pomfret company Chippers and an accomplished private helicopter pilot. He was a supporter of many community events over the years.
In a statement on Wednesday, the family said, “He was well-known throughout the community for his generosity, enthusiasm, zest for life, quirky sense of humor and work ethic.”
Chuck Gunderson, a longtime friend and owner of the Teago General Store, recalled that Russell helped the Pomfret School a number of times. Russell also worked with Gunderson on an effort to sell traditional Irish bread at the store and donate the proceeds to the Abbott Memorial Library.
Gunderson said Russell was “a very self-disciplined man” who would do any kind of job.
“I know he was very demanding of the people who worked for him, but I know he didn’t demand any more of them than he demanded for himself,” Gunderson said. “There was no job at Chippers that anyone had to do, that he wouldn’t do, or hadn’t done many times.”
Gunderson remembered Russell mowing the Face at Suicide Six, or helping out the weed whacking crew in the past. No matter what the project, Gunderson said, Russell would always be thorough.
“His ability to pay attention to detail always amazed me, and [his ability] to make sure that everything was taken care of,” Gunderson said.
Of his community efforts, Gunderson added that Russell did them quietly, without asking for any credit.
“He did all those things without making a big show,” Gunderson said.
A larger story on Russell’s life and a full obituary will run in next week’s Standard. Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to the Abbott Memorial Library in Pomfret or the Sustainable Woodstock Riverfront Park Project.
