Russell H. Correll

Russell H. Correll, 82, of Newington, beloved husband of the late Doris Foberg Correll, passed away peacefully on Saturday, April 5, 2008, surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Hartford, grew up in West Hartford and moved to Newington over 50 years ago. He graduated from Hall High School in 1943 and then served in the U.S. Coast Guard during World War II. Following the war, he received a degree in Accounting from Bentley College in Boston. He retired in 1991 after 35 years as the Treasurer of the Abbott Ball Mfg. Co. in West Hartford. Russ was an active member of St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church in Wethersfield, currently serving on the Church Council. He has served as a church leader in many roles for over 55 years in several area Lutheran Congregations. Russ was also a Mason and is a Past Master of Sequin Lodge #140 in Newington. Russ served with the Newington Volunteer Ambulance Corps for over 35 years, first as a Crew Member, then as Chief for 9 years and presently as a member of the Board of Directors. During his tenure as Chief, the NVA began to include female crew members, increased from one to two ambulances and expanded ambulance coverage service to 24 hours daily. As President of the NVA Board of Directors, he was instrumental in the building of the current headquarters on Constance Leigh Drive. He was a member of the North Central Emergency Medical Services Council which establishes and oversees the development of efficient emergency medical services to the people of North Central Connecticut. He also served the American Red Cross for many years as a First Aid and CPR instructor. Russ was also a member of the Newington Republican Town Committee, serving on the Executive Board as Treasurer and most recently as Assistant Treasurer. In 1988, he was honored as the Republican of the Year. He was serving on the Town Planning and Zoning Commission and was currently the Deputy Treasurer for the Town of Newington. Russ was often asked to enter into local politics, but he preferred to be the support man in the background. He was a longtime friend and advisor to Mayor Jeffrey Wright and served as his Campaign Treasurer. Russ has been an active member of Newington Rotary International since 1974 and served as President in 1977. In 1985 he was the first Newington Rotarian to become a Paul Harris Fellow. He also received the Jake Ebb Award and Rotarian of the Year Award. Russ and Doris enjoyed spending time at Little Colony in Madison. Russ was often seen riding his bike through Hammonsasset and loved fishing. He was famous for his clam bakes and stuffed lobsters. He was proud of all of his grandchildren and especially cherished every moment with his two young grandsons. He also enjoyed his three granddogs. A loving and devoted father and grandfather, Russ is survived by two sons and a daughter; Steven Correll and his wife Gail, Sandra Colpitts and Scott Correll and his wife Rachel, all of Newington. He has five grandchildren; Sara Colpitts, Lauren and Johanna Correll and Zachary and Dylan Correll. He also leaves a brother, Donald Correll, of Westbrook, two sisters Betty Correll, of NC, and Nancy Correll, of FL and several nieces and their families. His funeral service will be held on Friday, April 11, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church, 371 Wolcott Hill Road, Wethersfield, with the Rev. Hugh Heffenreffer officiating. Interment with military honors will be in West Meadow Cemetery, Newington. Relatives and friends are invited to call on Thursday from 3:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Newington Memorial Funeral Home, 20 Bonair Ave., Newington, CT. A Masonic Service will be held at 5:00 p.m. Memorial donations may be made to the Newington Volunteer Ambulance Corps., P.O. Box 310061, Newington, CT 06131, or the American Red Cross, Development Office, 209 Farmington Ave., Farmington, CT 06032. To share a memory, please visit us at www.newingtonmemorial.com.