Claremont, NH – Laurence W. Russell, 78, died Thursday morning, December 12, 2019 at Valley Regional Hospital in Claremont, NH.  He was born January 27, 1941 in Randolph, VT. The son of Laurence and Muriel (Clark) Russell. He grew up and attended school in Tunbridge, VT.

On April 7, 1961, he married Pauline E. Hammond in Acworth, NH.  They made their home in Newport, NH where they raised their four children. In his early years, he worked as a logger. Laurence also worked at the Newport Recreation Department as Maintenance personal and also coaching the girls softball team and maintained the ice skating rink on the common. He then worked for the Newport School District as maintenance, also driving bus for them. After moving  to claremont where he resided for the past 25 years, he drove for the Community Transportation Department and delivered Meals on Wheels. His final position and the one he retired from when his health failed was driving bus for First Student, known to students as Larry on the west.

In his younger years he was an avid sportsman who loved to hunt and fish. Most recently he enjoyed watching his game shows and Perry Mason.

He was predeceased by his wife of 55 years, Pauline Elizabeth Russell (December 1, 2016) and a son, Lawrence "Chip" Russell, his parents Laurence Russell and Muriel Wagoner, two brothers, Elwin Clark, and David Russell, two sisters, Maybelle McCrillis, and Phyllis McCrillis.

Laurence is survived by his son, Teddy Russell  (wife Simone) of Claremont, NH, two daughters, Jean Ryea (husband Danny) of Unity, NH, and Judy Wood (husband Michael) of Charlestown, NH, nine grandchildren, two great grandchildren, a brother, Donald Russell of Claremont, NH, three sisters, Alberta "Bert" Wilcox of White River Jct., VT, Rose Whitney of Roxbury, VT, June Gould of Newport, NH, two uncles Aldo Clark of Vershire VT, Duane Clark of Bloomfield CT, and many nieces and nephews.

Larry and his wife Polly will be laid to rest at a burial service that will be held in the Branch View Cemetery in South Royalton, VT in the springtime with a celebration of life following the graveside service. A special thanks to the many caregivers that made it possible to live independently during the many years of his declining health. Condolences may be made at an online guest book at www.knightfuneralhomes.com .  The Knight Funeral Home in Windsor, VT has been entrusted with arrangements.