Russell F. Noel Jr., 84
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Russell Francis Noel Jr., 84, of 1481 Massachusetts Ave. died peacefully Tuesday evening, Dec. 14, 2010, at his home surrounded by his loving family.
Born in North Adams on Feb. 13, 1926, son of Russell F. Noel Sr. and Edith Jowett Noel, he attended local schools. He received his high school diploma through Drury High School as part of a service learning project to recognize military veterans who left school to serve.
A Navy veteran of World War II, he enlisted on July 23, 1943, at age 17. He graduated from electrician's school at Iowa State University and served on the USS Tallulah, AO-50, a tanker in the Pacific theater. He was awarded the World War II Victory Medal, American Area Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Medal with four stars, and the Philippine Liberation Ribbon with one star. He was discharged as an electrician's mate, second class, on May 16, 1946.
Mr. Noel was employed by the former Sprague Electric Co. as an electrician from 1954 to 1973, when he became foreman of the electric shop. He took early retirement in September 1985 when the company began closing. He first worked as an electrician with CP Isbell Electric Co. on the former Bank Street after leaving the service.
He was a member of St. Andrew's Episcopal Chapel in the Blackinton neighborhood. He was a member of the Sprague Quarter Century Club.
He and his wife, the former Betty Elaine Nourse of Chicago, were married on Aug. 10, 1946, in St. John's Episcopal Church.
Besides his wife, he leaves two sons, Robert Russell Noel of Pownal, Vt., and Richard Russell Noel and his wife, Arlene, of North Adams; a brother, Steven L. Noel of Tucson, Ariz.; three sisters, Gloria Burns of Westminster, Calif., Diane Harwood and her husband, Austin, of Valley Center, Calif., and Candy MacDonald of Westborough; four grandchildren, Hannah Katherine Noel and Zachary James Noel, both of the town of Florida, and Bryan R. Noel and Alexander Richard Noel, both of North Adams, and nieces, nephews and cousins.
A sister, Lorraine Pierce, is deceased.
FUNERAL NOTICE — The funeral for Mr. Noel will be celebrated Friday, Dec. 17, at 11 at St. Andrew's Episcopal Chapel. Burial will follow in Southview Cemetery.
Calling hours will be Thursday, Dec. 16, from 4 to 7 at Flynn & Dagonoli-Montagna Home for Funerals, West Chapels, 521 West Main St., North Adams. Memorial contributions may be made to the Perkins School for the Blind, VNA & Hospice of Northern Berkshire or the American Diabetes Association in care of the funeral home.