Russell Mead Wakeman

Russell Mead Wakeman, 81, died peacefully on October 21, 2025 with his wife and children at his side.

Russell was born on November 12, 1943 to Roger Mead Wakeman and Dorothy Jennings Wakeman. A lifelong resident of Fairfield, Russell graduated from Roger Ludlowe High School, where he was an honor student. He majored in Engineering at the University of Connecticut.

He was extremely proud to be a son of three of Fairfield’s oldest families: the Wakemans and Burrs on his paternal side, and the Jennings’ on his maternal side. He was also a descendent of the Reverend John Jones, the first minister of First Church Congregational in 1644, and the Reverend Samuel Wakeman, the second minister.

First Church played an important part in Russell’s life. He was an active volunteer, serving on the Board of Trustees, as an advisor to the Junior High Group, ushering, and assisting on countless other occasions where a helping hand was needed.

Russell was employed by The Bullard company as a teenager during summer vacations, and also with Electrolux in Greenwich. Until retirement, he worked for Arch Chemical (Olin) in Stamford as a Senior Systems Analyst.

Russell was a kind and quiet man. He was a voracious reader, loved the many dogs and cats he had over the years, and dearly loved his children and grandchildren. He enjoyed tinkering with his model trains, carpentry (he was very proud of the small barn he built to house his tractor and outside “stuff”), watching John Wayne movies and most recently, baking. He made the most wonderful cookies, muffins and cakes but excelled in pie baking, particularly apple and strawberry rhubarb.

Russell was married to the late Leslie Romberg Wakeman, with whom had three daughters, Catherine, Joanna and Allison. In 1975, he married Margaret Dailey, and two more children, Christian and Jessica, were added to the family. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary this year.

Russell is survived by his wife, Margaret, Catherine Jennings (Grekim) of Easton, Joanna Teodosio (Christopher) of North Haven, Allison Beggs (David) of Fairfield, Christian Wakeman (Jessica) of Savannah, GA, and Jessica Wakeman (Kale Bogdanovs) of Asheville, NC, as well as six grand children: Elizabeth, Emmett, Sophia, Madeleine, Rose and Oliver Mead. He is also survived by his brother Stephen of Mystic CT and his late wife’s sister, Dana Romberg Scott.

A memorial service will be held on December 6, 2025 at 2 pm at First Church Congregational, 148 Beach Road, Fairfield, CT. Burial will be private.