FRANKLIN: Russell A. Pennell

It is with a heavy heart that we share the peaceful passing of Russell Anthony Pennell, age 75, of Franklin Massachusetts, on 9 November 2024. Devoted husband, father, grandfather (Papa).

Russ was raised in Neptune, New Jersey. Along with his parents, Elsie and John and sister Laura, the household also included his Italian grandmother, Antoniette. Antoinette’s cooking became the stuff of legend as Russ would recount 12 course holiday dinners and of course Antoiette’s famous meatballs.

As a kid Russ played baseball and built award winning model cars. His keen attention to detail led him to earn his degree in architecture from Notre Dame University in 1971. Russ would recount his college years with great fondness, forming tight friendships with his classmates that remain to this day. His class studied abroad in Italy for a full year. Upon arrival he and several of his friends immediately disregarded the school rule of ‘No Motorcycles’ and used every free opportunity to roam the European countryside, riding all throughout Italy, France and more.

Russell met Kathleen at Notre Dame while she was visiting her brother James, a fellow architecture student. During Russell’s last year of college, their love grew through holiday visits, writing letters and talking on the phone. With Russell graduated and living back in New Jersey, Kathleen transferred to a school closer to Russ to finish her degree in elementary education. They were married in 1972 and lived in Freehold, New Jersey. Following the birth of their son, Eric, they all moved to the Boston Area and shortly thereafter settled in Franklin. Lauren was then born a few years later and the family unit was complete.

During a regular family vacation in the 1980s to Cape Cod, Russ decided to buy a cheap bicycle to keep up with the kids and explore the nearby beaches and ocean communities. It wasn’t long before this whimsy turned into a full-blown obsession. Russ’ passion for cycling grew and so did his collection of bikes (As every cyclist enthusiast knows, the number of bikes you need is equal to the number you have, plus 1). Russ was always at his happiest on his bike or watching the Tour de France on TV, recounting all the familiar roads he sped along on his motorcycle so many years before.

Russ always made his family the priority in his life. He supported all his family’s passions; always celebrating and attending Kathleen’s vocal and musical theater performances, Lauren’s ballet, and coaching Eric’s youth soccer teams for several years. The birth of his two granddaughters gave Russ such great joy and he relished the opportunity to spend time with them, playing in the yard and listening to them play piano.

Russ will be dearly missed by his family and friends. His love of family, art, music, photography and cycling was contagious and continues to drive the passions of the family he and Kathleen helped create. Russell is preceded in death by his parents Elsie and John R. Pennell. He is survived by his loving wife of 52 years, Kathleen Doolan Pennell, his daughter Lauren Leblanc and her husband Paul, his son Eric Pennell and his wife Monica and their two daughters Ryleigh and Casey. He is also survived by his sister Laura Dillon, her daughter Alanna Dillon and her husband Kevin Ford.

Services will be private. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Russell’s name to the Brigham and Women's Hospital. Donate Here

The Charles F. Oteri and Son Franklin Funeral Home 33 Cottage St. is honored to assist the Pennell family.