Obituary of Russell S. Crockett

Russell S. “Stewie” Crockett, born in the family homestead on Crescent Road Burlington and a lifelong resident of Burlington passed away after a short illness on Sunday morning, December 11, 2016. He was 80 years old. Russell was one of four children born to Canadian immigrants, the late Russell A. and Grace E. Crockett. His parents had moved to Burlington in the early 1930’s, years before the sleepy farming town of Burlington exploded with new residents and industry. Burlington was the country, life was a lot more relaxed, and everyone knew your name. He was a member of the 1954 graduating class of Burlington High School which consisted of about 50 students. He played basketball and some football in high school. After high school, he enlisted in the Navy as the Korean War winded down and served during the Vietnam Era. He was trained in aviation electronics and served on the aircraft carrier, USS Coral Sea. He spent 4 years in the Navy and received the Good Conduct Medal and National Defense Service Medal. He was proud to serve in the Navy and be a crew member of the USS Coral Sea. After his service he was a longtime member of the American Legion in Burlington. Russell used the experience from the Navy along with further education and became an electrician. He worked for Rice Electric in Reading for well over 20 years. He then worked at R.J. Kelly Company maintaining their real estate investments. He also had his own small electric business which he worked on the weekends and after his retirement. Russell was happiest when he was home and with his family. He didn’t need fancy vacations or trips to be happy. Rather, he was content working in his yard or around his home. He was “Mr. Fix it” and he could take on almost any task around his home. He spent hours working around his yard, caring for his grass, landscape, and flowers. He always had a vegetable garden and loved sharing his harvest with his family, friends, and neighbors. He was a fan of all Boston Sports teams, especially the Boston Bruins and New England Patriots. He met his wife Joan when they were teenagers and they dated for years and were married for 55 years. He was a loving and supportive father to his daughter Lisa. He was a very proud grandfather, who always wanted to know what was happening in their daily life’s and happy to share his experiences, knowledge and talents with them . He wanted them to be independent, resourceful, and most of all happy. Russell was the beloved husband of 55 years of Joan P. (Biagiotti) Crockett. He was the loving father of Lisa Crowe of Burlington. He was the proud grandfather of Ryan, Alex, and Kate Crowe all of Burlington. He was the brother of Lorraine Pelletier of Marblehead, Ronald Crockett & his wife Jeannine Camarda of Marblehead and the late Audrey Dern and brother-in-law of Harry Dern of Burlington, John & Donna Biagiotti of Ipswich and Theresa & John Merrigan of NM. Russell was also survived by many nieces and nephews. A visiting hour will be held at the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn St., BURLINGTON (exit 34 off Rt. 128/95, Woburn side) on Wednesday, December 14 from 10 to 11 a.m. A funeral service will begin at 11 a.m. at the funeral home. The burial will follow at Chestnut Hill Cemetery, Burlington. Memorials in Russell’s name may be made to People Helping People, P.O. Box 343, Burlington, MA 01803.