Rev. Russell Ayre

Rev. Russell Ayre
The Rev. A. Russell Ayre, 92, died peacefully April 10, 2017, at his home in Village of Golf, FL.
Russ was born Sept. 1, 1924, to Lola Pearl Maxwell and Albert Ayre, in Springfield, Mo. His early life was significantly impacted by the Great Depression, as his family moved from Springfield to the family farm in Oklahoma, where the family grew only peanuts and potatoes. Russ fondly remembered life there, but he carried a lifelong aversion to eating peanuts and potatoes. This lifelong aversion suited his grandchildren, with whom he happily shared French fries.
Russ was known for his thoughtfulness, intelligence and dedication to education, which begin in a one-room schoolhouse before he moved to Drury College, where he graduated with a bachelor's degree in 1946.
After finding his calling in the ministry, Rev. Ayre left the Midwest for Yale Divinity School in New Haven, Conn., graduating in 1951 and took his first post as the minister at the Congregational Church in Derby, Conn. It was there he met and married the love of his life, Helen Elizabeth Bradley, in June of 1948.
In 1953, he moved his young family to Mansfield, Mass., before the opportunity arose to lead a larger church in New Milford, Conn., in 1957. With their three children, the Ayres began their ministry at the First Congregational Church of New Milford. Rev. Ayre retired in 1989 as pastor emeritus, after stewarding his congregation for 32 years.
During his tenure in New Milford, Rev. Ayre made many lasting contributions to the community. Within the church, Rev. Ayre directed numerous capital improvements, including the parish expansion. His guidance was also critical to the establishment of New Milford Interfaith Housing, which developed Butter Brook Hill Apartments, a senior housing facility, and Chestnut Grove, a congregate housing facility, and later Glen Ayre, which was named for Rev. Ayre.
Additionally, he applied his love for education to his role as the chairman of the New Milford Public Library board for 20 years, overseeing the renovation and expansion of the facilities.
Rev. Ayre held a lifelong belief in service to others and dedicated himself to his congregation and community. Other programs led by Rev. Ayre include founding the Interface Counseling Center, an interfaith initiative that provided affordable counseling services to the greater New Milford area. Rev. Ayre's commitment to fostering an interfaith community is exemplified by his offering the Temple Sholom's community a place of service while the temple was under construction. Rev. Ayre opened the doors of the church, providing the Jewish congregation a forum to meet and worship.
Accompanying his full life as a minister of an active and growing church, Ayre was an avid golfer. He fondly remembered playing golf with family and friends at the Lake Waramaug Country Club. Along with golf, he enjoyed cycling and hiking. At the age of 88, he could still be found biking at least six miles a day at his home.
Following his retirement, he demonstrated the same dedication to his family as he did his community, splitting time between his children's homes in Connecticut, Florida and Washington.
Rev. Ayre was predeceased by his wife Helen of 68 years; three brothers, Ed, Harry and Richard of Springfield, Mo., and a granddaughter, Emily Ayre. He is survived by his three children, Rick, and his wife, Sue, of Bellevue, Wash., Jon; and his wife, Nancy, of Woodbury, Conn., and Martha, and her husband, Andrew Ladner, of Village of Golf; 11 grandchildren, Russell, Kate, Colin, Sarah, Mike, Amanda, Abigail, David, Jonathan, Melissa and Katherine; and five great-grandchildren, Austin, Ella, Quinn, Lila, and Billie.
A memorial service will be held May 6 at 3 p.m. at the First Congregational Church of New Milford, 36 Main St., New Milford, Conn. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be sent to the A. Russell Ayre Scholarship Fund, c/o First Congregational Church of New Milford, 36 Main St., New Milford, CT 06776.