Russell J. Kinney

1968 - 2018

Russell J. Kinney
of Leominster

LEOMINSTER - Russell J. Kinney, 50, beloved husband and father, of Leominster, MA, passed away suddenly Wednesday, November 21, 2018, at Leominster Hospital.

Russell was born February 3, 1968, in Toms River, New Jersey, a son of Richard A. Kinney and Elizabeth "Betsy" (Conley) Kinney, moving to Lunenburg, MA at age 8. He was a 1986 graduate of Lunenburg High School and a life long learner, taking many varied courses throughout his life.

Russ leaves the loves of his life, his wife of 23 years, Donna J.(Coates) Kinney, and two sons, William J. Kinney and David J. Kinney, all of Leominster. His parents, Richard and Betsy of Lunenburg; siblings Richard J. Kinney, Sr and wife, Suzanne, of Leominster; Doreen A. Lathrop and husband, Scott, of Fitchburg; Ronald J. Kinney and wife, Paula, of Lunenburg; Diane A. DiCalogero and husband, Angelo "Chip", of Hartley, Iowa; mother-in-law, Betsey McPhee, of Leominster; sister-in-law, Susan Armfield-Smith and husband, Clinton Smith, of Leominster; brother-in-law, Richard Coates and wife, Maria, of Las Vegas, Nevada. He also leaves 15 nieces and nephews: Richard Kinney, Jr, Heatherleigh Kinney, Connor Kinney, Amanda Armfield, Joshua Armfield, Clinton Smith, Joseph Young, Cheyenne DiCalogero, Allyssa Chace, Duncan Kinney, Inara Kinney, Tristan Kinney, Jeremy Norton, Shyran Norton, and Nateisha Norton-Crowley. In addition, he leaves many aunts, uncles, cousins, 8 great-nieces and great-nephews, and many friends. He was predeceased by his father-in-law, Joseph Paul McPhee, and brother-in-law, Jeffery Armfield.

Russ had a true love of family and would do anything for them. It was not uncommon to see him on the floor with the boys, or his nieces and nephews, building legos, playing with cars and trains, or outside with them and the neighborhood kids. He truly was a big kid at heart. He was very intelligent and loved a challenge. Russ was a huge science fiction fan, Dr Who, Star Trek, and Star Wars were among his favorites, and he amassed a large collection of movies. He always wanted to go into space. He loved to build models, mostly Sci-Fi: Star Trek, Star Wars, and from shows from his youth. He was a boy scout, and as an adult, was involved many years with his sons as a den leader and scout master; he enjoyed the many camping trips and other activities. He enjoyed reading, listening to music; esp. from the 80's, taking walks, tinkering with computers, camping, sitting by the fire, playing Yugi Oh, Magic the Gathering, Pokemon Go, and video games with (or without) the kids. Russ loved the family pets, cats Skittles and Curious, and bearded dragons, Puff and Steve, as well as the many fish. He enjoyed the spirited online discussions on the FLAP and FLAG pages, and enjoyed shooting his guns at the rifle range.

Russ had recently started working part time for Allied Universal Security, as a guard at the Carroll Water Treatment Plant in Marlboro, MA and had worked many years seasonally at Liberty Tax in Leominster, as a tax preparer. Prior to going on disability due to back issues, he worked at Ecological Fibers in Lunenburg, as a machine operator, moving into the quality control department; Walmart in Lunenburg, as an Electronics Department.Manager; and at Haartz Auto Fabric in Acton, in extrusion, top coat, and inspection departments.

KINNEY - A memorial service for Russell will be held on Friday, November 30, at 11am, in Congregational Church of Christ, 583 Main St., Leominster. Calling hours will be held on Thursday, November 29, in the Silas F. Richardson & Son Funeral Home, 106 West St., Leominster from 5- 8pm. www.richardsonfuneralhome.net.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Russell's name to the Nashua Valley Council, Boys Scouts of America, 1980 Lunenburg Road, Lancaster, MA 01523.

The family will host a Celebration of Life after the memorial service at the home of Sue Armfield-Smith, 87 King Ave, Leominster.