Russell Francis Campanelli

Russell Francis Campanelli was born in 1943 to Margaret and Joseph Campanelli in Brockton Massachusetts and was raised along with his younger brother Ralph Campanelli, and later step siblings; Carmelina, Alphonse, and Eric.  He called several towns home throughout his childhood and ultimately graduated from Duxbury High School with the class of 1961.
    He was proud to follow the footsteps of his father Joe and helped grow the legacy of Campanelli Construction.  He started working for the company at a young age and developed a passion for construction as he learned to drive trucks, operate equipment and became familiar with surveying.
At the onset of the Vietnam War, Russell enlisted into the Marine Corps and served as a Sgt in the reserves from 1964 through 1970.  He was stationed with the Marine Air Wing at Weymouth Naval Air Station and MCAS Yuma in Arizona leading ordnance teams arming Skyhawk and Phantom Jets.  While serving in the Marines, Russell attended Roger Williams University in Providence, RI where he obtained his Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering.
In 1967, Russell met Anna Gail, the love of his life, and they were married two years later. They enjoyed over 55 wonderful years together.
After their marriage, they welcomed the birth of their first son Christopher.  In the early 70’s, Russell and Anna Gail moved to south Florida where he worked for Campanelli Construction Company as a Supervisor of Construction.  While in Florida, he and Anna Gail welcomed the birth of their daughter Mariesa.
Upon returning to Massachusetts in the early 80’s, Russell became a partner and Co-Owner of Campanelli Companies and dedicated most of his life to help run the family business.
Russell and Anna Gail began building their family estate in Norwell and welcomed the birth of their twins, Derek & Daniel.  Some of Russell’s happiest memories stemmed from the deep love and pride of the home he had built in Norwell where he was able to combine his passions for site development and nature.  The result was a picturesque colonial homestead with a thriving country garden.  He could often be found tending to his orchards or on his tractor smiling happily as he worked.
Russell was an avid traveler and found himself at home in both Chatham in the summers and Maui in the winters, where he cultivated many wonderful friendships.
He was a man of many passions and eagerly pursued many different hobbies including: racing his dragster (The Freedom Machine), building and owning both hotrods and classic cars, he was an expert woodworker and constructed a beautiful hand carved kayak, sail boat, and an outrigger canoe. He was an avid aviator who held a commercial pilots license for many years and enjoyed flying out of Plymouth with his Beechcraft Bonanza to destinations throughout the country. He loved spending time in Chatham, the mountains of New Hampshire, and in Maui. He was a hiker, amateur astronomer, musician, skier, and history buff (it was rare to see him without a book in hand).  Russell also enjoyed boating with family and friends on his Grady White and explored all around the shores of Chatham and Orleans.
Russell was a loving, kind, humble and generous man who took pride in everything he did. He always enjoyed being surrounded by his children and his grandchildren.  He improved and enriched the lives of those around him. He had a smile and infectious laugh that would brighten any room. His children were greatly blessed and honored to call him their dad and he will be forever loved and greatly missed.
He passed peacefully in his sleep, in the comfort of his home, after a long battle with Parkinsons, which he never allowed to dampen his adventurous spirit.
Russell is survived by his wife, Anna Gail Campanelli; his son Christopher, his daughter Mariesa & husband John, his son Derek & wife Ali, his son Daniel & wife Lorida, his brother Ralph and wife Kathy, nephew Ralph, and niece Sophia, and grandchildren; John, Nathaniel, Megan, Anthony, Nicholas, Michael, Joseph, Lucas, and Cora, all of whom brought him so much joy and filled his life with love.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research.
His visitation will be held Thursday, May 29th, from 4pm to 7pm at Nickerson Funeral Home, 87 Crowell Road, Chatham MA. A Funeral Mass will be held Friday, May 30th at 10am, at Holy Family Church at 601 Tremont Street, Duxbury MA, followed by a burial in Duxbury Mayflower Cemetery.
For online condolences, please visit www.nickersonfunerals.com