Russell M. Hillman

Russell Myron (Old Fart) Hillman, 93, a longtime resident of Shutesbury, MA, passed peacefully at his home in the company of family on August 20, 2023.

He was born on June 13, 1930 in Heath, MA, one of nine children to John O. Hillman and Florence Newton.

Russell proudly served, with a passion for cooking, as a Sergeant in the Korean War for the United States Air Force from 1952 to 1954.

True to his heart, Russell was a farm boy. He enjoyed growing vegetables and fruits in his garden to share with family and neighbors. You may have seen him fishing Lake Wyola, cruising Shore drive on his tractor, or had the pleasure of losing to him in a game of cribbage. Sitting on his deck, Russell kept an eye on the lake while exchanging stories and tales from his life, some true and some so interesting you didn't care about the truth behind them. He fed his feather friends every day at the back door. He was well known for his humorous antics, such as setting off fireworks (year round), catching baby raccoons and dancing around in lobster hats. He was fond of making flirtatious comments that even a female on the receiving end couldn't help but smirk at! In his later years, (when he was 89 years old until very recently) Russell travelled with his children on special vacations including Alaska, Hawaii and the Bahamas.

Russell was predeceased by his wife Claire Simone Hillman (Emond), his longtime companion, Pauline Marguerite (Miner) Brunelle, as well as his son, Russell Mark Hillman and great-grandson, Nathaniel Garcia-Brooks and step-grandson Gabriel Mason.

He is survived by his sister Flora Spencer of California; son, James Hillman and his wife, Mary of Shutesbury; four daughters: Lynn Chmyzinski and her husband, William of Winchester NH, Karen Brooks and her husband, Todd of Montague MA, Tina Magnan of Ware MA and Cynthia Greene of Johnson City, Tennessee. Russell was a loving and proud grandfather and leaves a legacy of 18 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, August 26, 2023 from 10:00am to 10:45am from the McCarthy Funeral Home, 14 Prospect Street, Turners Falls, MA. A graveside service will immediately follow at 11:00am at St. Mary's Cemetery, Turners Falls Road, Montague, MA. Marguerite Noga, Pastoral Minister of Our Lady of Peace Church will be the celebrant. Full military honors from the United States Air Force will take place with the local VFW to provide a firing detail.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Russell's memory be made to: DAV Scott Vetterling Chapter 33, 17 Bulkley Street, Turners Falls, MA 01376.

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