Ralston William "Russ" Russell

Ralston William “Russ” Russell, 88, of Lancaster, PA, and Nantucket, MA, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, October 8, 2024. Born in New York City, he was the son of the late Ralston and Margaret Hall Russell. Russ was the loving husband of Mary Ann Russell. They would have celebrated their 67th wedding anniversary on October 12th, 2024. Russ graduated from University City High School, in St. Louis, in 1953 and from Colgate University in 1957, where Russ was a member of the honor society, Komosioni, and president of his fraternity Beta Theta Pi. Russ joined Armstrong World Industries and held various sales and marketing positions, including Director of Marketing International Operations. In 1978, he joined Forbo as President of North America and in 1982, he joined Mannington, where he served as Vice President and Director of Marketing until 1988. As President of Colmar Floors from 1988 through his retirement in 1998, Russ pioneered the production and sales of flooring from Mexico to the United States. Retirement soon led to the establishment of Wynne Partners in 1999 to provide consulting services to the international flooring industry. Wynne Partners’ clients included firms in Holland, Belgium, Canada, China, Portugal, and the United States. Russ was a member of Saint James Episcopal Church, in Lancaster, a 50-year member of the Lancaster Country Club, and a former member of the Hamilton Club. He served as a trustee of the Lancaster Country Day School and volunteered on behalf of various fundraising and community service campaigns including Colgate University's Capital Gifts Era Campaign. Russ is survived by his wife, Mary Ann, his brother, Thomas Wynne Russell (Judy) of Alexandria, VA, his daughters, Elizabeth Boe (Walt) of Washington DC, and Sarah Russell of Lancaster, and three wonderful grandchildren: Katherine Heuck (Sam), Matthew Boe (Marisa), and Peter Russell. Russ was a steadfast champion of his children and grandchildren, and his “beautiful wife”, Mary Ann, in all their endeavors. His great joy was spending summers at his Nantucket home with his family and his schnauzers, Rags, Mattie, Samantha, and Magnificent Margaret of Monomoy. Burial is at the family's convenience in the columbarium garden of Saint James Church, Lancaster. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Russ's name may be sent to Saint James Church, 19 North Duke Street, Lancaster, PA 17602.