Russell J. Bohne

Russell J. Bohne, age 94, of Lawrence, MA, passed away on September 1, 2018 at High Pointe Hospice House in Haverhill, MA, with his family by his side. Russell was born April 15, 1924, the son of Violet and Richard Bohne of Lawrence, MA. He was married to Arline (Teichmeier) Bohne for 63 years before her passing in March of 2007.

Russell is survived by his daughter, Susan La Rosa, son, Alan Bohne and his wife Meredith, granddaughter, Lisa La Rosa and her husband Jim La Creta, and grandson,Jeremy Bohne and his wife Amanda. Russell has one living sister Betty Bridge of Mystic CT, a nephew David Bridge and niece Cathy Gandolfo and her husband Mark. Russell is predeceased by sister, Mildred Zeiner, and brothers-in-law, Robert Zeiner and Herbert Bridge.

Russell met his sweetheart at the German sports and social club, Turners Hall (Turn Verein) in Lawrence as a teenager. Unable to enlist in the military due to a heart condition, he supported the war effort by working as a welder in the Charlestown Navy Yard. Later, he worked as a machinist, then die cutter, at the US Bobbin and Shuttle Company in Lawrence where his manager recognized Russell’s skill for detail and urged him to further his education. Taking night classes for many years, Russell earned his Associates Degree in drafting from Lowell Technological Institute and then worked as a manufacturing engineer designing parts and production components at Raytheon for over 30 years before retiring.

He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. He instilled the qualities of education, honesty, fairness, self-reliance and persistence to all his future generations. He was an excellent woodworker, making furniture and woodcrafts for family and friends, and an excellent amateur artist, winning a local Mayors Award for his painting titled “Boy with the Red Cap”, and had another painting on display at the Massachusetts State House. Russell enjoyed the outdoors, whether fishing, gardening, or just playing with his children. Countless hours were spent at the family camp at Rock Pond in Windham, NH, where the various generations of the family enjoyed many cookouts and family gatherings throughout all seasons of each year. On weekends, outings to the camp, beach, or a park were common. Russell, along with his wife and children took vacations each year, touring most of the country by car to see the various sites, people, friends and national parks. He was a member of Lawrence United Lodge, AF & AM. Russell was a good neighbor with numerous close friends whom he helped and who graciously helped him in his later years. He was very pet friendly, ceaselessly allowing his children to have all manner of pets throughout their childhood and was particularly attached to the pet dogs of all family members. Russell volunteered at the MSPCA at Nevins Farm in Methuen for 15 years, winning an achievement award for his efforts.

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend visiting hours from 11:30 am – 1:00 pm on Sunday, September 16, 2018 at the Dewhirst and Boles Funeral Home, 80 Broadway, Methuen, MA. Following visiting hours, there will be a Celebration of Life ceremony at 1:00 pm at the funeral home. A private graveside service will be held at the Bellevue Cemetery in Lawrence, MA at a later date. Remembrances may be sent to www.dewhirstfuneral.com. Gifts in memory of Russell may be made to the St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN, 38105, or the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 75841, Topeka, KS, 66675.​

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