of Sussex Inlet
Passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, 20 January 2026. Beloved husband of Judy. Dearly loved father and father-in-law of Peta & Todd, and Ryan & Emma. Cherished pop of Jack, Kai, Rhys, Hayden, and Codie. Much-loved son and brother. Russell will be sadly missed by his loving family and friends.
Aged 75 years
Forever in our hearts
Family and friends are warmly invited to attend a celebration of Russell’s life to be held at Shoalhaven Memorial Gardens Chapel, 369 Worrigee Road, Worrigee NSW, on Wednesday, 11 February 2026, with the service commencing at 12:00pm.
Watch Livestream here
Service now available to stream
Funeral Details
Date & Time
12:00 pm, Wed 11 February 2026Venue
Shoalhaven Memorial Gardens Chapel, 369 Worrigee Rd, Worrigee, New South Wales 2540, AUView on Google Maps
Funeral Director
H.Parsons Funeral Directors
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Funeral Director
H.Parsons Funeral Directors
100% Australian, H.Parsons has been serving the NSW South Coast since 1893.(02) 4228 9622
info@hparsons.com.au
34 Belmore St, Wollongong, New South Wales 2500
http://www.hparsons.com.au
What I remember about Uncle Russell. There was a calm about you that made people feel safe. Your words were measured, but never cold. Your advice was offered softly, never forced. When you spoke, people listened, not because you demanded it but because they trusted what you had to say. You made us feel like everything would be okay, even when it wasn’t. And somehow, just by being there, you made difficult moments easier to bear. You were the uncle I wish I had more time with.
What can we say when we have to put a value on Russell,s life. We were so shocked to hear the news
We have known Judy and Russell for many years and have wonderful memories of Russell. He was always busy trying new skills inventing others and fulfilling various family tasks. He was always welcoming and showed his everlasting love for his beautiful wife Judy and his two beautiful children Peta and Ryan. We will miss your wonderful friendship over the years and know that you will always be loved and remembered.
Michael Gallaway, Drama Teacher at Santa Sabina College, 1999 – 2015:
The Drama department at Santa relied on Russell’s skill and patience time and time again as we put on various productions. Nothing was too much trouble for Russell as he came up with solutions to the challenges we gave him. We worked with him on our large outdoor school liturgies. Russell and his team were crucial to the cultural and spiritual life of the college. We deeply appreciated his qualities as a human and a colleague. To his wife, Judy, and to his close friends and family, I offer my condolences. He was a very special human being.
On Judy I am so sorry to hear of Russell’s passing.you are in my thoughts and prayers.I know you guys enjoyed life and it will leave a big hole in it..Please feel free to give me a chat if you need someone to talk to.im so sorry I can not attend his funeral but you are always welcome to visit.its 26 years since Mervyns passed away and it would have been our 50th wedding anniversary last Saturday.i will be looking on the live stream.He was a great guy and taken too young. Love from your friend Beryl
I am saddened to hear of Russell’s death and send my condolences to his family. I was a teacher at Santa Sabina and experienced Russell’s support and kindness throughout the years I was there as a part of the Drama department. No request was too much, no problem insurmountable, he was always patient and inventive, always interacting with a smile. Russell was a special man, and I am grateful to have known and worked with him.
I was so saddened to hear the news of Russell’s death. He was a great colleague over the years at Santa Sabina. He was a gentleman, kind, unassuming and self-assured in his role executing the plans. He was always careful to make sure school events went smoothly, from the setting up of the Hall for Dances, to the readiness of the barbecue for sausage sizzles to the setting up of platforms for Dom’s Day. I often observed him patiently teaching younger tradesmen, how to level a platform, transport many chairs or fit a door lock. He was a great tradesman.
Before he retired Paul and I met Russell in the car park and he was very excited about the house he was building at Sussex Inlet. He told us how he had planned it to be an environmentally friendly home. I am happy that it was something he enjoyed so much as it seems that it had become his home with his wife Judy .
I will always remember Russell as a most supportive colleague, professional in his work and kind and generous in spirit.
Please pass on my condolences to his wife Judy, family and friends.
Irene Holt.
Thank you for letting me know,
Kind regards
Hello,
I worked with Russell at Santa for many years and always appreciated his kindness and professionalism. He worked very hard and was a wonderful problem solver. Nothing was ever too much trouble to him, he was unfailingly supportive and would make the impossible work. His annual setting up of the stage around St Dominic’s Plot for the celebration of Dom’s Day was a masterclass!
Russell’s humility and considered approach to all he did were so much valued by his colleagues.
He delighted in his plans for retirement to his beloved South Coast and always spoke so wonderfully of his family.
I am sorry not to be able to attend tomorrow’s funeral but will be with you in spirit.
I send my deepest sympathy to his family at the loss of such a special man.
I, too, was on the staff at Santa Sabina, working closely with Russell whether setting up Hall for Information nights or exams or Scholarship tests, and certainly while supporting Drama Department in a myriad of ways. Beyond that, I valued our personal chats and Ryssell’s quiet, dignified thoughtfulness. Vale, Russell.
Today it was a privilege for Sr Mary-Clare, Marg O’Shea & myself to attend the memorial & celebration of Russell’s life. He was a man of such dignity, carrying respect for all with whom he came in contact. His generosity, inventiveness & patience was such a gift to all at Santa. Sabina College. His memorial was celebrated in such a special environmental space at Nowra. We are mindful of Judy and the family at this sad time.
My thoughts are with you Judy. Fond memories …May you find comfort among your family and friends in these very challenging moments. Much love from Nicole (Syd’s sister WA) ❤️
Today it was a privilege for Sr Mary-Clare, Marg O’Shea & myself to attend the memorial & celebration of Russell’s life. He was a man of such dignity, carrying respect for all with whom he came in contact. His generosity, inventiveness & patience was such a gift to all at Santa. Sabina College. His memorial was celebrated in such a special environmental space at Nowra. We are mindful of Judy and the family at this sad time.
Today it was a privilege for Sr Mary-Clare, Marg O’Shea & myself to attend the memorial & celebration of Russell’s life. He was a man of such dignity, carrying respect for all with whom he came in contact. His generosity, inventiveness & patience was such a gift to all at Santa. Sabina College.From our presence here it is so obvious that Russell was a community builder and a loving family man . His memorial was celebrated in such a special environmental space at Nowra. We are mindful of Judy and the family at this sad time.