Russell Lee Brown

Niantic - Russell Lee Brown of Niantic passed away Aug. 14, 2025, at the age of 78. He was born in Minneapolis, Minn., the son of LaMonte Brown and Joy Chase Rezza. He is survived by his wife of over 48 years, Susan Adams Brown; their son, David Brown (Jordan D'Angona); granddaughter, Isla Brown; and another grandchild due in December. He is also survived by his sister, Judith Petrillo Lafferty (James); and brother, Peter Rezza (Patty); sisters-in-law, Barbara Adams Martin (William), Linda Adams (Amy), Lisa Adams Sunderland and Melissa Adams; and nephews and nieces: Adam (Tara) Rezza, Craig Rezza, Angela Rezza, Jessica Adams Davis (Erik), Rachel Sunderland, Gavin Sunderland, Emily Adams, Heather Conti (Eric) and Daniel, Alexandra and Zachary Figuenick. He is also survived by long-time friends, real estate and business partners, Michael and Beth Miller and George and Mary Hayden, and fellow sports aficionado, George Ulrich. He was predeceased by his parents; brother, John Petrillo; and brother-in-law, Michael Adams.

Russell was a multifaceted man, passionate in a broad array of interests. He was an avid reader and extensive book collector, as well as an adept stock market investor. He joined the U.S. Navy in 1963, participating in the recovery of the Gemini II and V capsules and their astronauts, a highlight for a 19-year-old. In 1967, he was selected for the Navy Enlisted Scientific Education Program, a highly selective program that moves top-performing enlisted sailors through college and into a Naval officer commission. Instead, he chose to pursue a direct-to-college path, graduating at the top of his class in 1971 from UMASS Dartmouth with a B.S. in Electrical Engineering. He immediately began his 25-year career at the Naval Undersea Warfare Center (NUWC, the former Sound Lab) in New London, while receiving an M.B.A. from the University of New Haven, and attending Yale, M.I.T. and the Brookings Institute to advance management and financial skills. At NUWC, he led the creation of the Commercial Acquisition Department and was awarded NUWC's Manager of the Year.

In the early 90s, as Department Head of the Engineering and Science Department, he spearheaded Electric Vehicle Research and Development, establishing a collaborative project with the CT Municipal Electric Energy Cooperative to develop EVs as an alternative energy transportation for the state, for which he holds a patent.

He was the design team leader for construction of a major state-of-the-art engineering building and the acquisition of a $13 million Cray supercomputer at NUWC Newport, and implementation of the first-of-its-kind video teleconference system for effective communication between disparate Navy Lab units and was an integral part of the Defense Base closure and realignment process for NUWC New London and Newport.

Russell received the Superior Civilian Service Award Medal; Department of the Navy's Meritorious Civilian Service Award; as Department Head of the NUWC's Commercial Acquisition Department, and a Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition for outstanding and invaluable service to the community.

Russell retired from NUWC in 1996; started his business and consulting firm; brokered the sale of many companies; and wrote and published two books: "Strategies for Successfully Buying or Selling a Business," and "Preparing Your Business for Sale."

Russell owned and managed several commercial and residential real estate properties, including the historic Tift House in Mystic.

An avid competitive tennis player, Russell captained the NUWC tennis team in the Thames Valley Tennis League. A long-time fan of hockey and UConn basketball, he enjoyed the women's team more for pure play. He was an amateur photographer (He studied under the renowned photographer Robin Perry.), participated in art shows around the region, and started Barnboard Products, making picture frames from reclaimed New England barns.

Russell enjoyed being a coach in his son David's youth sports and also started an AAU basketball team (the Connecticut Cyclones).

For over 42 years, Russell lovingly cared for his woodland property in Niantic, a sanctuary for family and friends and a source of endless inspiration for his wildlife photography and his passion for nature and land preservation..

There will be calling hours from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Sept. 6, at Thomas L. Neilan & Sons, 48 Grand Street, Niantic. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to any of these organizations Russell supported: World Central Kitchen (www.wck.org), the Connecticut Nature Conservancy (https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/where-we-work/united-states/connecticut/?en_txn1=bl.ch_ct.eg.x.g), or the National Wildlife Federation (www.nwf.org).