Obituary of Russell B. King

Russell B. King, 89, of Grove Street, Putnam, passed away peacefully, Tuesday, August 12, 2008 at the University of Massachusetts Medical Center in Worcester. Beloved husband of 66 years of Alva (Burgess) King, they were married July 26, 1942. He was born March 23, 1919 in Putnam, son of the late Walter and Marjorie (Burgess) King. He was a lifelong member of the Putnam United Methodist Church, and was one of the oldest members serving on various committees over the years. He was a member of the Putnam Rotary Club having been a member for over 60 years and named a Paul Harris fellow twice, on the Board of Directors at Putnam Savings Bank and was Chairman of the Board of Directors from 1984 to 1991. In 1936 along with his father he founded Putnam Sales and Service currently King Oldsmobile Cadillac GMC, which he owned and operated for 59 years. He was a member of the Cornerstone-Quinebaug Lodge AF & AM, a member of the Swords of Bunker Hill and received the Pierpoint Edwards Medal. He was a former commodore of the Alexander's Lake Yacht Club. He was a former director of the Day Kimball Hospital, a former director of the New England Olds Dealers, former director of Grove Street Cemetery and served on the Town of Putnam Sewer Commission, the Board of Finance and the Putnam Centennial Committee. He gave King Hill to the Town of Putnam for sledding and recreation. For many years he spent a lot of time at Groton Long Point. He leaves his wife Alva, a daughter Janice Marsan and her husband Gerard of South Easton, MA, a son Gregory B. King and his wife Deborah King of Putnam, two grandchildren, Elizabeth King and Douglas King, several nieces and nephews. A Celebration of his Life will be 11:00 AM, Monday August 18th at the Putnam United Methodist Church, 53 Grove Street, Putnam. Calling Hours will be from 4:00 to 7:00 PM, Sunday August 17th at the Smith & Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove Street, Putnam. Burial in Grove Street Cemetery, Putnam. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in his memory to the Putnam United Methodist Church, 53 Grove Street, Putnam or to Putnam Rotary Foundation, Inc. PO Box 682, Putnam, CT 06260. To share a memory "Light a Candle" at www.smithandwalkerfh.com