., with his two sons by his side, passed away peacefully in his home on April 17, 2026 in his 100th year. Russ was born on August 11, 1926 in Fitchburg, Massachusetts, the second son of Russell F. Aldrich, Sr. and Helen Otis Austin Aldrich.
Russ was a graduate of Fitchburg High School, Class of 1944. Upon graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy where he served honorably during World War II as a gunner’s mate on PT Boats, earning him the nickname “Guns”. Following his discharge, he attended New England College of Optometry, graduating in 1949 and opening an optometric practice in Clinton, Massachusetts. That same year, Russ married his childhood sweetheart, Dolores J. (Dee) Aldrich with whom he shared seventy years of marriage before her sudden passing in 2019. Russ moved his practice to Salem, Massachusetts in 1953 and the following year at age 28, he and Dee purchased the home in Manchester where he was to spend his life. From 1968 until his retirement in 1989, he worked for Davis Opticians in the Parkhurst Building at Beverly Hospital as an optician and optometrist.
Russ enjoyed his life in Manchester, raising two sons and enjoying Singing Beach and motorboating during a time when a family could enjoy complete solitude in the cove at Black Beach. Russ was an eighty-year member of the American Legion and, through his final year, participated in the Memorial Day observances being the last World War II veteran to march in the parade. He was a long-time member of the Manchester Bath and Tennis Club, The Manchester Club, the Elder Brethren (and two-time recipient of the Boston Post Cane), The Golden Age Club and was a Mason and a Shriner, as well as one-term Mayor of Old Essex Road. He enjoyed a long retirement with many winter travels to Maui and to St. Croix to the homes of both of his sons and with year-round visits to coastal Virginia and to Charlestown, RI.
Russ is survived by two sons, Russell F. Aldrich, III and his wife, Mary Hannigan Aldrich of Beverly; Barry L. Aldrich and his husband, Whittier T. Brown of Gloucester, VA and Charlestown, RI; two grandsons, Adam F. Aldrich and his partner Tom Peters of Brooklyn Park, MN; and Eric J. Aldrich and his wife, Lauren Joy Aldrich of Beverly, MA; a great-granddaughter, Evelyn Joy Aldrich of Beverly who brought him so much happiness in his final two years; a niece, Sharon Aldrich Kimball of Southington, CT (Jay); and a nephew, Joel J. Aldrich (Katherine) of North Eastham, MA; as well as special friends Joe and Helen Aiello of Manchester. He was predeceased by a brother and sister-in-law, Lee Austin Aldrich and Shirley Russell Aldrich of North Eastham, MA and a brother-in-law Richard H. Laine of Fitchburg, MA,
Russ will be remembered as a kind, unassuming and friendly man. He was a devoted husband, a loving and supportive father, grandfather and great-grandfather, a good neighbor and he will be forever remembered and missed by his family. He loved his home and his country and he cherished his friendships with the other veterans at the Legion.
A graveside service will be held at the Pleasant Grove Cemetery, Pine Street, Manchester-by-the-Sea, on Friday, May 1, 2026 at 11:00 AM. A collation at Amaral-Bailey Post 113 American Legion in Manchester will follow the service. Relatives and friends are invited to attend. Donations in Russ's name may be made to Care Dimensions, 75 Sylvan St., Danvers, MA 01923 (www.caredimensions.org), to Cape Ann Animal Aid, 4 Paws Lane, Gloucester, MA 01930 (www.capeannanimalaid.org) or to the charity of your choice. Arrangements are by the Campbell Funeral Home, 525 Cabot Street, Beverly. Online condolences at www.campbellfuneral.com.
