Russell J. Bennett

Bennett, Russell J.

      Russell J. Bennett passed away on November 3, 2023 at the age of 80, in Baltimore Maryland after a long fight with Covid-19 starting in 2020. He kept fighting for his family, after every set back he would come home smiling. Cared for by his wife Mary J. Bennett and home nurse Chae Demby, he was never without the comforts of a loving home.

      Russell was a lover of food and enjoyed going out to eat with family and friends whenever possible. Even alone he would bring along his mail, set up shop and read at the table like it was his work desk. He traveled and sailed the world enjoying the delicacies and exciting foods of foreign lands with the love of his life, his "sweetie" Mary J. Bennett. He would bring back many stories of what they experienced and the foods they enjoyed. But what Russell loved to eat most was Maryland Crabs. He loved to eat Maryland steamed crabs every chance he got. He love to get a bushel of crabs for the table, it wasn't so much the eating of the crabs he liked (which he liked very much) but the people he was with. Sitting around cracking shells, picking meat, and talking with everyone while they ate were moments he enjoyed most. Sadly, in his final years Russell could no longer pick crab meat right from the shell, but that wouldn't keep him down as he enjoyed the Maryland Crab Soup from Roy's Kwik Korner almost daily. Never to be without, a steady supply was always maintained in the house.

      Russell was also an immense lover of sports. No matter the season he would find a game to watch on TV, be it football, baseball, or basketball he enjoyed them all.  His favorite teams being The Baltimore Ravens, The Baltimore Orioles, and The Maryland Terrapins. He had a great memory and could name all the players, their stats, and what college or team that they had once played for. He liked watching game highlights even after having watched the entire game already.  He always kept up with team announcements for who was drafted or traded. Even at the end he was looking forward to the next season.

      Russell was a University of Maryland Law School graduate. Russell obtained his Juris Doctor in 1969 but passed the Maryland bar in 1967, he went on to practice Law for 53 years. Over his long career, doing Pro-Bono work was not uncommon for Russell as he loved to help people no matter their station in life. He loved to solve problems and help people get there lives back on track. As a lawyer he always went above and beyond for his clients. With friends and family Russell was always open to giving advice to people about their legal troubles, he always did his best to steer them in the right direction. Talking to him you could always see he would have practiced for another 53 years if he could.

      He is predeceased by his father Frank Bennett, his mother Helen Dworkind-Bennett, and by his step-son Randall Landis. He is survived by his loving wife Mary J. Bennett. His brother Edmund Bennett and his sister Lauren McKay. His step-son's David B. Francis and Eric H. Francis. His grandchildren Airman David B. Francis II, Donald B.B. Francis, Johnathan A. Francis, Leann Sarmousakis, and Donald Blair, Harmony Blair, Hailey Pete.

There will be a celebration of life memorial held at the family's home. Please reach out to the family for more information.

Please feel free to leave your condolences on the Tribute Wall

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Russell J. Bennett, please visit our floral store.