James P. Russell

James Patrick Russell, age 75, of Hammondsport, New York and formerly of Penn Yan, New York, died on March 9, 2026. Born on October 29, 1950 in Chicago, Illinois to the late Richard and Virginia Russell, Jim battled cancer for 15 years before passing peacefully at Keuka Comfort Care Home in Penn Yan, surrounded by loved ones.

Jim earned a doctorate in physics from the University of Illinois and an MBA from the Rochester Institute of Technology. He worked as a product engineer at Xerox in Rochester for 38 years before retiring in 2018. A man of many passions, he enjoyed orienteering, skiing, hiking, woodworking, music, and travel. He competed in the Empire State Games and earned a gold medal in ski orienteering. His deep commitment to Scouting spanned more than 35 years as a leader, Cubmaster, trainer, merit badge counselor, and Vigil Honor member of the Order of the Arrow, for which he received the Silver Beaver award. An accomplished guitarist, Jim generously led the praise band at the Penn Yan United Methodist Church for many years. He also cherished hiking and camping, and in recent years fulfilled a longtime dream by traveling across the country to visit many national parks.

He is survived by his wife, Barbara Russell; sons Timothy (Amy) Russell of Pendleton, New York, Steven Russell of Denver, Colorado, Andrew (Katherine) Trout of Geneva, New York, Daniel Guard (Adele) of Penn Yan, and Alexander Schroo of Hammondsport; daughters Megan (Matthew) Andersen of Clarence, New York, Kathleen (Jacob) Smith of Victor, New York, Abigail Schroo (Ryan) of Burdett, New York, and Jarlin Roman of Geneva, New York; brothers Daniel Russell of Colorado Springs, Colorado, and Thomas (Lucindy) Russell of Sanford, Florida; sisters Anne (Robert) Ballard of Orland Park, Illinois, and Mary Morrissey of Chicago, Illinois; and many nieces, nephews, and 25 grandchildren, including his grandson Jude, whom he now joins in Heaven.

The family is grateful for the compassionate care provided by the staff at Keuka Comfort Care Home.