Obituary
Russell Ainsworth Elvey, a retired Construction Materials Business Owner and resident of North Port, FL, died on August 29, 2020, at the age of 78 surrounded by his loved ones.
Russell was born in Woburn, Massachusetts on December 20, 1941 to George Everett Wilson and Mildred Evelyn Flaherty, and was later adopted by his Aunt Maude Wilson Elvey and her husband Charles. He graduated in 1963 from Salem State Teachers College with a degree in Education; and was certified to teach Junior High and High School Mathematics and Science. He taught at Waltham Junior High School, and spent a few summers at his family’s Hampton Beach, New Hampshire cottage with his lifelong friend, Bob Peach.
After relocating to Georgia and raising three daughters with his then wife, Pat, Russell founded a successful Soil Erosion Control Business with jobs all over the Southeast. Over the years, he enjoyed snow skiing out west, boating on Lake Lanier, coaching his daughters in fast-pitch softball, watching high school cheerleading, and Friday Night Lights.
Russell is survived by his wife, Jennifer (Elliott Dirrigl); daughters Andrea Elvey Veltre (John) and Kristina Elvey Rollings (Greg); brothers Jack and Fred Chase; sisters Pat Chase Shrader and Bette Wilson Dayton (Doug); Grandchildren Russell Redmond (Jenny), Ryann Redmond, Nicholas Amante, Jeremy Veltre, Gabrielle Veltre, Giovanna Veltre, and Sydney and Riley Rollings; and great-grandchild Reese Redmond. He is predeceased by his daughter Stephanie Mari Parks; parents George Everett Wilson and Mildred Flaherty Chase; adoptive parents Charles and Maude Elvey; sister Helen Elvey Pasche, and brother Tom Wilson.
In retirement, Russell passionately enjoyed traveling the world. He loved listening to music, good food, golf, karaoke, snow skiing, and living his best life. He lived in Southwest Florida for the last many years, where he loved to golf and spend time on many beaches. He was blessed enough to meet his beloved wife Jennifer in 2017, and they became inseparable and devoted to each other from that moment on. He will be deeply missed by his friends, family, and all who knew him.
Due to COVID-19 concerns, a service will not be held locally. Instead, Russell’s family plans to have a Celebration of his Life on Lake Sidney Lanier in Georgia.
Those wishing to make donations may contribute to the American Cancer Society.
I'm flanked in this 1965 photo by Pat Kirby and 2 of my best friends, Russ and Pete Bond. Pat was Sheila's maid of honor at our 1966 wedding. Stephanie Elvey was my goddaughter. We haven't seen Andrea and Kristina since the Elvey's moved to Georgia but we got to spend a weekend with Pat and Russ in Atlantic City when we were in our late 40s, and saw Russ, Pat and Bob and Dottie Peach who attended our wedding at a birthday party for Russ at the Town Line House in Lynnfield Mass several years later. For many summers Russ and I spent several hundred hours cruising Hampton Beach and water skiing together. Our condolences to the Elvey family.
Dear Friends,
As you know, my husband Russ died Saturday night surrounded by family, a few close friends, and the music that he loved. I mourn his loss deeply, but cherish the time we had together. We were so fortunate to have found the joy of love again at our time of life. I will miss him more than I can say, but know that he is finally at peace and in a better place.
Russ’s daughter Andrea and her husband John have been by my side for the past two weeks, taking on most of my workload and responsibilities so that I could spend my time offering comfort to my Russ. For this I am very grateful and will never forget their kindnesses.
I am attaching below the link to Russ’s Obituary. Because of the extent of the Covid pandemic in Florida and to ensure the safety of my friends and family, I will not be holding any services in Florida for Russ. Instead, his family and I will gather later at his daughter’s home on Lake Sidney Lanier in Georgia for a celebration of his life.
Jennifer