Obituary: James Alexander Russell Sr.

SOUTH PORTLAND – James Alexander Russell Sr., 90, of South Portland, passed away peacefully on June 10, 2026, surrounded by family at Mercy Hospital. Born on April 20, 1936, in Portland, he was the son of Earle Leander Russell and Ellen Alexander Russell. Jim was a long time resident of Cape Elizabeth and attended schools there. He graduated from Cheverus High School in Portland followed by a one-year postgraduate program at Kents Hill, eventually earning his bachelor’s degree in history from the University of Maine in Orono in 1959. Jim’s work career was with Esso Standard\\Exxon, Gray Oil, Downeast Energy and later Sani-Clean Distributors with his son, James Alexander Russell Jr. Jim was a devoted trustee at Mercy Hospital and the Visiting Nurses Association. He was also very active with Saint Bartholomew Catholic Church in Cape Elizabeth. At the church he was on two building committees, High School CCD and the finance committee. In the town of Cape Elizabeth, he was involved in Cub Scouts, Little League Baseball, as well as neighborhood functions in Broad Cove. He had various hobbies, but his favorite hobby was antique cars. He started with a 1924 Chevrolet coupe named Jasper and later moved on to “woody” station wagons. He owned and restored two different woody wagons over the years. These cars appeared in several local parades. Jim was predeceased by his parents Earle Leander Russell and Ellen Alexander Russell; his son, James Alexander Russell Jr., daughter-in-law, Victoria Ware Russell; and his sister, Katherine Alexander Russell. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Nancy Small Russell; his children, Richard Earle Russell (Suzanne), Katherine Burke Russell Hill (Ted), John Burke Russell (Inga) and Ann Phoebe Hargreaves (Kip); his grandchildren, Victoria Alexander Russell (Dan Hasday), Anne Alexander Russell, Samantha Grace Russell (fiancé Andrew), Matthew John Russell, Abigail Nicole Russell, Caroline Bernadina Russell, Ian Thomas Russell, Erik John Russell and Rebecca Ann Russell; his sister, Phoebe Ann Russell; and nieces Ellen Russell Jordan (Ted) and Mollie Alexander Coburn (Greg); and multiple grandnieces, grandnephews, cousins from Canada, Texas and New Mexico. There will be a Mass of Christian Burial at Saint Bartholomew Church, Cape Elizabeth on Thursday June 18, at 11 a.m. followed by a 12 p.m. graveside service at Riverside Cemetery, Cape Elizabeth and a reception at the Church. Condolences may be expressed online at [http://www.hobbsfuneralhome.com](http://www.hobbsfuneralhome.com). In lieu of flowers, the family requests to have donations be given to Saint Vincent de Paul Soup Kitchen 307 Congress St. Portland, ME 04101 (telephone: 207-772-1113) Copy the Story Link