OBITUARY

Name:   Russell Darwin Burdick

From:  The Recorder, Greenfield, Massachusetts
Date:  Tuesday, March 27, 2007

ORANGE -- Russell Darwin Burdick, 79, of Red Brook Lane died Friday, March 23, 2007, at Poet's Seat Health Care Center in Greenfield.

He was born in Plainfield, May 12, 1927. He was one of 12 children born to the late Herbert and Clara (Galusha) Burdick. He attended Plainfield Grammar School and the former Arms Academy in Shelburne Falls.

He lived in and around the Franklin County area and worked at the former Millers Falls Co. He spent a number of years in Sallisaw, Okla., where he worked in the construction trade as a finish carpenter.

He had enlisted in the Navy and served in the North African campaign in World War II and then in Korea. He served aboard the Destroyer Fanning until it was decommissioned in 1945.

Russell had many interests and hobbies. He played the guitar and sang and loved country and bluegrass music. He also enjoyed shooting pool and playing cribbage. He was an avid photographer, especially of wildlife and scenic views. He used his computer to convert his photographic talent into movies and scenic slide shows for family and friends.

Russell returned to Massachusetts from Oklahoma three years ago and could be found walking around Red Brook Village with a black squirrel on his shoulder eating peanuts out of his shirt pocket. If he wasn't feeding and caring for his squirrels, he would be on the Green River in Greenfield doing battle with the trout. He usually came home with several beauties. He will be sorely missed as his kindness and tenderness touched everyone around him.

He leaves his sons, Russell Jr. of Louisiana and Michael and Chris of California; two daughters, Patricia McDonald of Louisiana and Doreen Burdick; one stepdaughter, Mary Ann Kozloski of Hopewell Junction, NY; a stepson, James Ewart of Greenfield; two brothers, Ralph Burdick of Bernardston and Robert Burdick of Dunnellon, Fla.; three sisters, Hazel Churchill of Shelburne Falls, Joyce Hyte of Holyoke and Barbara Sharpe of Santa Maria, CA; several grandchildren and one great-grandson along with nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by three brothers and three sisters, Herbert Jr., Richard and George Burdick, Eleanor Pierce, Ruth Thatcher and Phyllis Batchelder.

At his request, there will be no memorial service, but contributions may be made to the Cancer Fund of one's choice.

Drozdal Funeral Home of Northampton is handling arrangements.