Obituary of Harold "Hap" Russel

Harold Russel or Hap as most of us know him for his happy nature, was born in Jersey City on August 18, 1923. He grew up on Decker Ave in Port Richmond. Hap was a typical boy. He loved playing all sports, especially baseball and track at Port Richmond High School. Growing up his dad would drive the family out to Greenport, Long Island where they had a tent and spent summers swimming in the Long Island Sound. Hap loved to fish and also had lobster pots. When World War II came, he enlisted in the Navy and served on a destroyer Escort Carrier the USS Douglas L. Howard for 3 years as a torpedo man. He was stationed in Montauk, Long Island, a favorite place of his. After Hap served in the Navy, he returned home to resume working in the family store “REEDS JEWELER’S”. It wasn’t too long before he met Ingrid, the love of his life. She was a nurse cadet at Staten Island Hospital where Hap’s mom was being treated for pneumonia. The story goes that his mother told him, “Harold, that’s the kind of girl you should marry”, and being the dutiful son that he was, that’s exactly what he did. Soon after they had 2 daughters Linda and Eileen. Hap loved the comradery he found in Kiwanis. He was instrumental in getting both the public and private schools to merge their track and field events. He also supplied the stop watches for the events. Hap enjoyed volunteering for as many Kiwanis activities as he could, especially their pancake breakfasts. He also enjoyed the trips to Europe with his wife and other Kiwanis members. Hap was a long-time parishioner of Zion Lutheran Church. Hap sang in the choir, was involved in bible studies, a member of the men’s breakfast club and an usher. His family was instrumental in relocating the church from Port Richmond to Westerleigh where it is today. In 1982 Hap retired from Reeds Jeweler’s. He was the salesman, engraver, window dresser and watch repairman. He especially enjoyed helping couples pick out their wedding rings. Every summer Hap would get the Russel and extended families together for a vacation in Greenport, East Marion, Long Island. We all loved getting together there. Hap was a loving devoted husband. His love for Ingrid never ended. Everyone he met was touched by his happy and generous spirit. Harold is survived by his 2 daughters, Linda Carlson and Eileen Arzberger and their families. Linda’s family includes her 2 daughters, Sherri and Christy. Sherri and her husband, Rick Bode and their children, Rylie, Olivia, Gretta, and Beckett. Christy and her husband, Chris Carr, and their children, Cyrena and Cayla. Eileen’s family includes her husband Ken Arzberger and their son Andrew and his wife Chika and their children, Thor, and Alice. The Russel family thanks you for your support, friendship, and prayers, and has requested that Memorial gifts be given in memory of Harold Russel to Zion Lutheran Church. Family and Friends may visit on Sunday 2-6 PM, August 20th at the Matthew Funeral Home. Funeral Service will be at Zion Lutheran Church on Monday, August 21st at 11:00AM with a burial in Oceanview Cemetery.