William “Russell” Millett
Retired Tewksbury Firefighter
TEWKSBURY: William Russell Millett, age 71, a lifelong resident of Tewksbury, passed away at Sunny Acres Nursing & Rehabilitation in Chelmsford on Wednesday, June 9, 2021.
Born in Tewksbury on August 12, 1949, he was the son of former Tewksbury Fire Department Captain, the late Freder-ick R. Millett, Sr. and the late Edith (Blackburn) Millett, and was the older brother to the late Frederick R. Millett, Jr.
“Russell” attended Tewksbury schools and graduated from Tewksbury Memorial High School in 1967.
Following high school, Russell served in the Massachusetts Army National Guard.
Russell served the community of Tewksbury as a Firefighter for many years, as well as enjoying a talent for carpentry and home renovation that lasted long into his retirement from the Fire Department. During his years, he worked alongside many area building contractors and assisted numerous local families with their remodeling projects.
Russell was affiliated with the Tewksbury American Legion Post # 259 and the Tewksbury-Wilmington Elks Lodge # 2070.
He enjoyed spending the cold winter months in Bonita Springs, Florida, but was always glad to come home to his be-loved Town of Tewksbury to catch up on things with his many friends, fellow firefighters, and his buddies at Cutters Auto Body.
Russell is survived by his nephew, Erik C. Millett and his wife Jenn, and their daughter Simone, all of Wakefield; his sister-in-law, Jane (Cipriano) (Jackson) Millett, of Saugus, and her sons Ivan and Adam Jackson; his aunt, Alice V. Mac Donald of Salem, NH; his uncle Emmett Millett of Tewksbury; also numerous cousins, extended family members and friends.
Calling hours are Wednesday, June 16, from 4-8 p.m. at the Farmer & Dee Funeral Home, 16 Lee St., Tewksbury. His funeral procession will begin on Thursday, June 17, at 9 a.m. at the funeral home, followed by a graveside service at 10 a.m. at Tewksbury Cemetery, 172 East St., Tewksbury. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations honoring his memory to be made to the Massachusetts Fallen Firefighters Memorial at www.mafirememorial.org.