Russell V. Cheney

Russell Vernon Cheney passed away in Derry, NH, on Monday, 8 April 2024, at the age of 84.

Russell was born in Exeter, NH, on 7 June 1939, to the late Vernon Francis and Marie Rose (Gallant) Cheney, with whom he resided in Plaistow, NH. After graduating from Sanborn Seminary in Kingston, NH, Class of 1958, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy, where he served as an Air Traffic Controller Airman of Airborne Early Warning Squadrons VW-2 (NAS Patuxent River, MD) and VAW-33 (NAS Quonset Point, RI) until 1963, whereupon he transferred to the Naval Reserve. He took great pride in his Veteran status, and enjoyed reminiscing online with fellow “Willie Victor” crewmen. Following his Honorable Discharge in 1965, he worked at several professions, including mechanical engineer at Honeywell; Harris printing press assembler; and carpenter with a penchant for perfection.

Russell was an avid outdoorsman that enjoyed visiting Plum Island, hiking in the woods, canoeing, gardening, clamming, fishing, and hunting whenever he could. He applied his creative talents to woodcarving, crafting many decorative spoons and Bellamy-style eagles, tikis, rustic figurines, and bas-reliefs. He also enjoyed photography, taking particular pleasure in close-up shots he captured of NH’s Old Man of the Mountain and the moon. Cooking was another favorite pastime, and he would generously offer others samples of his jalapeno poppers and baked manicotti, among other favored dishes. He also devotedly indulged the appetites of wildlife, preparing a precise recipe for the hummingbirds; putting out seeds, fruit and suet for various birds (but not bluejays!); and encouraging squirrels and chipmunks to take treats from his hand. His kindness also extended to family and neighbors’ dogs, whose visits always brought him joy.

Russell is survived by his two daughters, Cheryl and Amanda Cheney; three sisters, Janice Knutsen (husband Tom), Loleta Zayas (husband Frank), and Fay Jeannete Elizabeth Cheney (partner James McDonnell); grandchildren Cassandra Nelson (companion Michael Campione) and Donald Nelson (companion Lisa Clark) and great-grandson Kaidyn Nelson; stepmother Hilda Cheney; ex-wife Christine (Moras) Farrington; and many nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, his son, Scott Russell Cheney; sister and brother-in-law, Marjorie and Norman Hamilton; and several dear friends preceded him in death.

Russell will be laid to rest at the New Hampshire State Veterans Cemetery at 110 Daniel Webster Highway in Boscawen, NH; relatives and friends are invited to attend his interment, at 3pm on the 85^th anniversary of his birth, 7 June 2024.