David James Russell II

Chili: Entered into eternal rest and peace on February 22, 2026. David is predeceased by his brother, Matthew Russell. He is survived by his children, David James Russell III & Katie Mae (Maximilian) Wassel & their mother Sylvia Russell; grandchildren, Jaxon James, Juliana & Isabella; parents, Maureen & David Russell; siblings, Doug (Lynn) Russell, Michael (Wendy) Russell & Michelle (Raviel) Vega; several nieces & nephews.

David's life story will be shared 2:00-6:00pm on Sunday, March 1st at the funeral home, 1411 Vintage Lane. His Funeral Mass will be celebrated 9:00am on Monday, March 2nd at St. Pius the Tenth Church, 3010 Chili Ave.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made in David's name to Make-A-Wish® Metro New York and Western New York Headquarters, 1745 Broadway, 22nd Floor East, New York, NY 10019.

Remembering David ~

Dave was the eldest of five children born to Dave & Maureen Russell, growing up in the Town of Greece, NY, where he attended Autumn Lane Elementary School, then Greece Athena's Junior and Senior High Schools. He has kept lifelong friends from his early years on Rusty Lane through the raucous years at Greece Athena. Fittingly, he lived across the street from the high school principal who, with indulgent grace, overlooked nearly every mischief this charming young man would get himself and his best friends into.

His escapades included many late night snow mobile runs through the Town of Greece, and testing out the new extension of route 390 before it was open to the public. He traveled to many concerts including the Grateful Dead, the Rolling Stones and the Who.

Dave's first truck was a 1978 Ford F150 with a suspension lift, massive tires and chromed rims; it was his pride & joy, named Goliath. Goliath is still talked about among family and friends. Thank you, Mr. Brickler, for naming it so fittingly. David & Goliath were a sight to see coming down the road.

Dave was an incredible athlete and set many school records for goal keeping at Greece Athena. He tried out for and made the team as a back-up goalie for Rochester's professional soccer team at the time, the Rochester Flash. Before he began coaching youth sports, he played Men's League Softball and Hockey six days per week, year-round. At almost every family wedding, baptism or communion, he had a scar, bandage or stitches, and often on his face. After his coaching years, Dave actively played golf and hockey until the very end. He exemplified what it meant to be a weekend warrior. His golf and hockey buddies were not just friends; they were his family.

Dave began working with his dad as a painter when he was 14 years old. His dad was his mentor and his friend. They've worked side-by-side for 48 years, eventually owning their own business, Dave & Dave Painting. They were incredibly proud of this accomplishment. Lunchtimes on a job site, when the Trades included their brothers and uncles, were always loud, boisterous and full of fun. Dave eventually learned many of the Trades and worked as a general contractor, most recently for FSI Construction and Team West Herr, where once again, he made lifelong friendships.

Dave's family was the most important thing to him. He had many nieces and nephews whom he loved with the joy and exuberance that only your favorite uncle can bring. Uncle Dave attended every sporting event, knew your teammates and your stats, followed your progression through the years, and cheered you on like you were the only thing that mattered! He called to see how you were doing, always answering every call and text. He helped with any house project that needed to be done and was there whenever you needed him. He brought joy and positivity to every event he attended and had a way of making you feel truly special.

In 1981, Dave met his high school sweetheart, Sylvia, and they married in 1985. They were blessed with a beautiful family that included two children that were the center of his universe, David James III and Katie Mae. They enjoyed many wonderful memories including biking as a family, driveway roller hockey games, family vacations to Myrtle Beach and Cedar Point, and spending joy filled moments at many family parties. The family also included two beautiful Rottweilers, Bo and Rocky, who were loved by all.

Dave's coaching career began when his son David started playing sports. He coached soccer, as well as club and travel hockey and baseball. He was a role model and brought out the very best in his players, both individually and as a team, winning many championships and each of the kids' hearts. He would stop at nothing to make every kid's experience as special as possible. Everyone loved Coach Dave.

And while he did not coach Katie's swim teams, one legendary "only Dave" moment came during a state-wide blizzard, on a Sunday in late March one year when David was playing in the championship game of a hockey tournament in Buffalo at 12 noon, and Katie was swimming in the NYS Finals in Cortland the same afternoon. When the final buzzer sounded at the hockey game, Dave ran from the rink while friends took David, got in his truck in Buffalo, jumped on the thruway, hauled-it to the pool in Cortland, pulled up on a snowbank in a no-parking zone outside of the entrance door to the pool, put his 4-way flashers on and ran into the building literally as Katie dove into the pool and swam her main heat. When the race was done, she looked up in the stands and her dad was there, proudly pumping both fists in the air for her. For David & Katie, he would do anything. He loved them with his entire being.

In May 2021, Dave gained the most amazing son-in-law he could have ever hoped for, Maximilian Wassel. It is with love and pride that he called him son, not son-in-law. June 2023, Katie & Max gave Dave the gift of becoming a grandfather to Jaxon James. Jaxon was the brightest star in Dave's life. Most recently, Dave welcomed Jaxon's twin sisters, Juliana Sophia and Isabella Rose; the granddaughters that he was blessed to meet, hold and love, if only for a moment here on Earth. He will watch over all of them for a lifetime from Heaven.

Dave joins his brother Matthew in eternal rest, together watching over their family with enduring love and guidance.

Dave impacted so many people, it's impossible to list them all. He never forgot a person, place, or sporting fact. Dave carried positive and loving energy into every part of his life. Please join us in celebrating his life.