Russell Ernest Ball died on Aug 12, 2015 at the age 93 succumbing to metastatic prostate cancer. Russ loved his wife of 62 years, Barbara, who predeceased him. He married her in 1948 and credits her with getting him through his Master's degree in Sociology from Boston University. He drew inspiration from her love, strength, and practical approach to life. Russ started his career in the Philadelphia YMCA in 1949. He loved the YMCA and believed and professed its values of spirit, mind, body, the original motto of the Y. He especially embraced the value of “body” in his last years, always feeling better after working with one of the physical trainers.
Russ joined the Rotary in 1962. He loved the Rotary and its ethical guide: Is it the truth? Is it fair to all concerned? Will it build goodwill and better friendships? Will it be beneficial to all concerned? He made it a habit of attending Rotary for the camaraderie even though he sometimes could not hear the speaker. He especially embraced the test: Will it build goodwill and better friendships. He was a Rotarian who would telephone and follow-up with fellow Rotarians, family, and friends. Even while he was in rehab in June, he would visit a fellow Rotarian at the same rehab center. He last attended Rotary in April. He served as President of two clubs, the Southington, CT Rotary and the Rotary of the Bridgewaters. In 2013 he was honored with the first-ever award, Rotarian of the Year, by the Rotary of the Bridgewaters.
Russ was born in Lynn and grew up in Danvers and Marblehead. Russ, though an only child, was never alone, with parents who always were taking in relatives and friends. He visited his Emery cousins in Westborough often.
His loving family undoubtedly led to his career of service. His first full-time job was with the Y in Philadelphia where he helped integrate the Y by visiting African-American churches. He remembers that pastors told him that he was the first white to ever visit their church. He moved on to the Pittsfield Mass Y where he supported the development of the Ys youth leadership programs. At his next job at the Newton Y (now West Suburban), he developed the new day camp. This camp was literally a swamp and always wet, but the kids loved it. This was definitely an old-fashioned place with no girls or women until he created programs for girls on Fridays so his daughter Carolyn could attend. He helped make the Y a more inviting place for Catholics. As President of the Youth Directors Association of the Y, he and others went to see Cardinal Cushing to help pave the way for Catholic youth joining the Y. Fears of conversion to Protestantism and prejudices against Catholics were overcome. Russ’s fondest memories were of the Y in Southington, CT where he started the first day care, expanded the day camp, started travel programs for teens that were popular enough to pay for his youth director's salary, and built the indoor pool. Although his Y career ended at the Old Colony Y in Brockton, he soon became a volunteer at its branch in East Bridgewater. He and his wife Barbara devoted time serving on the management committee, helping raise funds and enjoying the benefits of swimming. Just this year, he raised funds in the Spin-a-thon riding a stationary bicycle. When he was in grade school, his son Ray, was asked what his father did. Ray said he went to the Y and talked. That probably is a good summary. He also spent his volunteer years mentoring and advising staff and executives whom he developed close bonds until the end of his life. He was honored with the 2014 Old Colony YMCA Employee Legacy Award for his service.
Russell leaves his two children, Raymond and Carolyn; their spouses Joyce and Merl; grandchildren, Kim and her husband Dave; Rod and his wife Olivia; and Matt; and great grandchildren, Ashlynn, Amanda, Matthew, Lindsay, Axl and Cruz.
Russ would love for you to give to your favorite charity in lieu of flowers. A memorial service is planned for Tuesday Aug 18, 2015 at the First Parish Church, 50 School St.Bridgewater at 10 AM.