Russell Hilton Pearson, Jr., 79, of Mattapoisett died peacefully at home, surrounded by loving family members, on April 24, after a valiant battle against lung cancer .
Born in Worcester, on August 5, 1928, he was the son of the late Russell H. Pearson, Sr. and Madelyn (Keyes) Pearson.
Mr. Pearson was a graduate of Tabor Academy and Colgate University, and served in the U. S. Navy in the Korean Conflict. During his career he was a Vice President of Sales for a RI firm, and subsequently Eastern Regional Sales Manager for a Greenville, SC firm. As an avid sailor, Buzzards Bay was one of his loves. Skiing was a sport he enjoyed as well, and he was a Professional Ski Instructor at Waterville Valley, NH for many years. A devoted docent at the New Bedford Whaling Museum for a number of years, he particularly loved teaching school children about whaling.
He is survived by his wife Shirley, his daughter Diana Bunzel, sons Brian and Neal, his granddaughter Jennifer Bunzel and grandson Kincaid Pearson.
In accordance with his wishes, a celebration of his life will be held at a later date.
Memorial donations may be made to Southcoast Hospice Care, 200 Mill Rd., Fairhaven, MA., 02719 or the New Bedford Whaling Museum, 18 Johnny Cake Hill, New Bedford, MA, 02740.