NELSON GORHAM RUSSELL III

January 21, 1944 – August 8, 2023

Nelson Gorham Russell, III (79), of Budd Lake, New Jersey, passed away on August 8, 2023, surrounded by his family. Nelson was born on January 21, 1944 to Nelson and Elisabeth Russell of Buffalo, New York.

Nelson was a graduate of the Park School in Buffalo. He studied at Hobart College before enlisting in the Army during the Vietnam War. He was stationed in the Philippines during most of his deployment where he was a Computer Systems Operator in the Army Security Agency. After his military service, Nelson made a career in technological sales support, traveling around the globe to far-flung locales where he would delight in experiencing the foreign cuisines and cultures on nearly every continent.

Nelson was also a dedicated civil leader, having spent decades on the Mount Olive Township Board of Adjustments and Planning Board. He was a proud Episcopalian and a member of the founding congregation of Church of the Messiah in Chester, New Jersey where for 40 years he served in many capacities, including as a member of the vestry and the church choir. He also cooked meals for many of the church's events (his corned beef and cabbage was a perennial favorite...)

He was an avid gardener and his rose bushes were the envy of the neighborhood. While Nelson had several hobbies and interests, his true passion was his unwavering devotion to his long-suffering Buffalo Bills. He died with confidence that the Bills would bring home the Super Bowl trophy this season.

Nelson is survived by his wife of 53 years, Bernadette Russell, and by his twin daughters, Heather Jane Russell (Timothy Mayopoulos) and Holly Russell Tyson (Jeffrey Tyson). He is also survived by his four grandchildren whom he adored (Luke Russell Tyson, Cole Bailey Tyson, Spencer Russell Koenig and Amelia Jane Koenig), his brother Richard Clinton Russell, his sister Jane Russell Freeman (Bruce Freeman) and two nieces and a nephew. He also leaves behind his devoted service dog Willow who would not leave his bed during his final days.

A memorial service will be held at noon on Saturday, September 30 at the Clarksburg Country Club in Eden, New York, which was founded by his grandfather, Nelson Gorham Russell. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Buffalo Bills Foundation, which addresses child hunger in Western New York.