Bradford Russell

Russell, Bradford Donovan

Bradford Donovan Russell died at Ithaca, NY on March 28, 2012. He was 49. Brad was born in Lyons, NY on January 19, 1963. He is survived by his mother, Carolyn Sorensen Russell of Ithaca; daughter, Jennifer Angela Russell of Cortland; step-daughters, Heather Tiner and Danielle Strauf of California; brother, Brett Russell of Las Vegas; grandmothers, Eva Daisy Sorensen of Ithaca and Charlotte Russell of Seneca Falls; father, Donovan Russell and step-mother, Carol Russell of Moravia and step-sister, Maria Fairbanks of San Francisco. He is also survived by many aunts, uncles and cousins. Bradford's grandfathers with whom he was very close were Samuel Frederick Sorensen and Ward D. Russell.

As a boy, Brad lived with his parents in Salisbury MD, Savannah NY, Stanstead Quebec, Prince Edward Island and Ottawa, Ontario. As a teen, Brad attended high schools in Ithaca and Cortland, NY. He attended colleges in Dryden, Cortland and Oswego NY and Lock Haven, PA. Brad was a graduate with honors from Empire State College with a Bachelors degree in Criminal Justice/Human Services.

During young adult years, Brad travelled with family throughout Europe, the Middle East, Africa and the Caribbean. In 1994 Brad and Effa Strauf of Cortland were married. They purchased a home in Moravia. Effa pre-deceased Brad, dying in 1997.

Bradford worked in long distance trucking, real estate and criminal justice. He was an avid reader of history, philosophy, religion, government, criminal law and biography. He was an informed and interesting conversationalist and was passionate about social justice. Brad had a rich understanding of American institutions and democracy. He drew great satisfaction from extensive travel across this country. He loyally supported and helped friends. Brad took great pride in his young daughter Jennifer Russell and took strength from her maturity, innocent goodness and enthusiasm for life. He will be missed by many.

Calling hours will be at Bangs Funeral Home in Ithaca on Tuesday from 4 to 6PM. The funeral will be on Wednesday at 11Am, at the Unitarian Church in Ithaca, with a reception following. In lieu of flowers, contributions for daughter Jennifer's education may be made to a fund at Jennifer Russell Education Fund, Tompkins Trust, attention Scott Albanese, PO Box 460, Ithaca, NY 14851