Obituary of John Russell

He was predeceased by his wife, Mary M. Russell; and parents, Frederick D. and Ruth E. Russell. He is survived by his son, Frederick C. and wife, Debora B. Russell and grandsons, Derek J. and Jonnathan Russell of Binghamton; daughter and son-in-law, Kathryn K. and Tyler Methfessel of Glendale, CA; daughter, Carolyn M. Russell and John Frazer of Port Orange, FL; and brother, Richard B. and Carol S. Russell and niece, Megan Witalis of Stony Brook, NY. Also surviving, sister-in-law, Marion Meltzer of Binghamton. He arrived in Binghamton at the age of 2 from Tremont, PA and attended Binghamton schools and graduated from Hamilton College where he later served as an Alumnus Trustee. He is a veteran of the Korean War attaining the rank of Sergeant. He returned to Binghamton and joined Couper-Ackerman-Sampson Insurance Agency as an associate and remained with the firm for 45 years, during which time he became President. His insurance activities included President of the Independent Insurance Agents and Brokers of New York, Chairman of the council of insurance agents and brokers of Washington, DC, and President of the National Association of Casualty and Surety Agents Association. In the community, he was a member of the United Presbyterian Church, the Binghamton Country Club, Past President of the Binghamton Club, member of the Kannibal Klub, the Broome County Chamber of Commerce and its Live Wire Club where he was founding member of the Live Wire players. He served on the board at Security Mutual Life and Chase Manhattan Bank of Binghamton and its predecessors, starting with the First National Bank. President of the Roberson Museum Board and later headed the Roberson Foundation, President of the Binghamton University Foundation and a founding member of the Harpur Forum, chairman of the Hoyt Foundation and a founding member of the Community Foundation for South Central New York. He felt his greatest contribution to the community was in the health field. He served as President of the Board of Managers of Binghamton General Hospital and was one of the parties responsible for the consolidation of Binghamton General and Wilson Memorial Hospitals and into United Health Services, where he served as founding chairman and later chair of the UHS Foundation. He received many awards during his lifetime, including the distinguished citizen citation by the Baden Powell Council of the Boy Scouts of America and was named a Paul Harris Fellow by the Binghamton Rotary Club, but most rewarding was having a board and community room of UHS named in his honor. The family would like to give special thanks to the Wilson Hospital staff and the doctor team of Lodi and Reddy. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to UHS Foundation, 42 Mitchell Avenue, Binghamton, NY 13903. A Memorial Service will be held at the United Presbyterian Church of Binghamton in August on a day and time to be announced.