SPRINGFIELD – Russell "Russ" Omer, 88, a longtime resident of the Glenwood section of Springfield and currently a resident of The Arbors on Memorial Drive in Chicopee, was Called Safely Home on Wednesday, December 30, 2015. He passed into Eternal Life at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield surrounded by the care and love of his family. He was born in Springfield on February 28, 1927, a beloved son of the late Richard A. Omer and Fatima (Amer) Omer. He was raised in Springfield, attended the former Technical High School and was a lifelong resident of Springfield. He served his country during World War II in the United States Navy, received the World War II Victory Medal and attained the rank of Seaman First Class. In 1948 as a young man, he borrowed a little over five hundred dollars and purchased the Circle Luncheonette in Springfield. At that time, it was a candy, grocery and soda fountain that many local residents and children came to know and love. He eventually established Russ’s at Glenwood Circle, which he operated until his passing and is still to this day a popular eatery and gathering place where the politics of Springfield are routinely discussed. Russ was a 32nd Degree Mason. Most of all, he was a wonderful man who loved his family and his many loyal customers. Besides his parents, he was also predeceased by his loving daughter, Karen J. (Omer) Knowles Connors who was Called Home on November 27, 2011; his two loving brothers, Nafe Omer and Richard Omer and his wife, Barbara; and his loving sister, Nafie Salem and her husband, Mitch. He leaves his beloved wife, soul mate and best friend, Jean A. (Bushey) Omer. They were married in Springfield on November 2, 1947 and were blessed with over 68 years of happiness together. He also leaves his two loving children, Russell J. Omer and his wife, Pamela, of South Hadley and Deborah Omer of Springfield; his ten cherished grandchildren, Nicholas Omer, Charles Omer and his wife, Dana, Russell Omer, Andrew Omer, Adam Lunghi and his wife, Meghan, Sam Quinn Omer, Joseph Quinn Omer, Michael Knowles, Kimberly Trikas and her husband, Anthony, and Kristen Sleeper; his six cherished great-grandchildren, Abigail Lunghi, Caroline Lunghi, Anthony Trikas, Jr., Alexis Trikas, Victoria Sleeper and Alexander Sleeper; his three loving sisters-in-law, Helen Omer and Nancy Carling and her husband, Flip, all of Florida, and Louise Bushey of Massachusetts; and his many dear nephews, nieces, cousins, friends and extended members of the Omer and Bushey families. His relatives and friends are invited to attend visiting hours on Saturday, January 2, 2016 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the St. Pierre – Phaneuf Springfield Chapels, (413-737-1177), 7 Chapin Terrace, Springfield, MA 01107. His funeral and burial will be private at the convenience of his family. His family has requested that memorial donations be made in his memory to the Sisters of Saint Joseph Retirement Fund, 577 Carew Street, Springfield, MA 01104. For more details, please visit: www.stpierrephaneuf.com