Russell Sumner

SUMNER – Russell Joseph Sumner Jr., 63, of Attleboro, passed away on Tuesday, December 20, 2022 at the Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston.

Born on June 3, 1959 in Attleboro, he was a son of the late Russell J. and Margaret H. (Ryan) Sumner.

Russell was a graduate of Attleboro High School Class of 1977 and then attended the Chapman Seamanship School and Northeastern and SMU.

He proudly served in the United States Marine Corps stationed at Camp Pendleton.

Russell was a skilled carpenter and was employed at Brennan Construction & Restoration.

He enjoyed bicycling, sailing, skiing, gardening, was an avid reader, loved crosswords, scuba diving, camping and relaxing on the beach. Russell was a lifelong NE sports teams’ fan. In his earlier years, Russell owned a boat and enjoyed to quahog.

Russell was a thrill seeker and while still serving with Marines in Alaska he went Heli-skiing, (jumping out of helicopter with skis).

Russell is survived by his son, Andrew Sumner and his wife Barbara of Caledonia, Ontario Canada; his two grandchildren, Sadie and Hannah Sumner both of Caledonia, Ontario Canada; his two sisters, Susan Brennan and her husband John of Barrington, RI and Leslie Paradis and her husband John of Lincoln, RI; his many nieces and nephews, Meghan Brennan of Bristol, RI, Jonathan Brennan of Riverside, RI, Nathan Brennan of Grants Pass, OR, Sarah Brennan of Barrington, RI, Josh Paradis of North Attleboro, Lauren Paradis of Lincoln, RI, Matthew Paradis of Cumberland, RI, Julie Wagner of Nottingham, NH, John Paradis of Lincoln, RI, Amanda Paradis of Lincoln, RI, Sean Spicer of Burrilville, RI and Donna Spicer of North Port, FL.

He was the brother of the late Sandra L. Spicer and grandson of the late Raymond and Mary Sumner and Martin and Elsie Ryan.

The family would like to offer a special thank you to the Oncology Team at MGH.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a memorial visitation from 4 – 7 p.m. on Friday, January 20, 2023 at the Duffy-Poule Funeral Home, 20 Peck Street, Attleboro.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, January 21, 2023 at St. John the Evangelist Church, 133 North Main Street, Attleboro. Burial with military honors will follow at the Newell Burying Ground, West Street, Attleboro.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Russell’s name may be made to the Save the Bay at https://www.savebay.org/