Obituary of Edward Brian Russell
Edward Brian Russell, 85, passed away peacefully on the morning of Wednesday, October 29, 2025.
Born to the late Helen and William Russell, Edward grew up in Jersey City and Cliffside Park. In 1960, he proudly enlisted in the United States Army, where he served in Radio Communications, and was stationed in Germany. In 1963, Edward was honorably discharged with the rank of Sergeant. Not long after leaving the Army, Edward settled in Piscataway with his late wife, Joan, and the two would call the Township home for over 35 years. Over 20 years ago, however, Edward and Joan made the decision to move one final time to Jackson, NJ, where they have lived since.
Following his discharge, Edward continued a life of service by joining the Piscataway Township Police Department. For 29 years he faithfully and honorably served his community. Joining the force in 1970, he retired in 1999. During his time with Piscataway, he was an active member of the PBA Local 93. It did not take long for Edward to miss working, and he returned to law enforcement in 2000, joining the East Brunswick Special Police Unit, serving the East Brunswick community for another 17 years, before retiring from the department in 2017, as a Lieutenant of the Special Police Unit.
Outside of work, Edward found great joy in boating, time on the water with friends and family were moments he held close to his heart. He was also passionate about trains, he enjoyed going to watch trains locally, visiting museums or older cars, and built a model train display at his home.
When he wasn’t working, Edward was often fixing something around the house. There was very little he could not do, and rarely, if ever, needed to call in a professional for help. When it was time to relax, he could often be found watching TV, whether it was the Sopranos, or something on the Discovery Channel, he always had something new that he had learned or saw on a show, that he would share with friends and family.
Above all, Edward loved being with his family, especially his grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Predeceased by his wife of 59 years, by just 25 days, Joan Patricia (nee Sawinski) Russell; Edward is survived by his sons, Mark Russell and his wife, Mary of VA, Brian Russell of NJ, and Chris Russell and his wife, April of NJ; and his daughters, Cheryl Bendokas and her husband, Marty of HI, Debbie Siragusa and her husband, Ben of NJ and Leslie Celebre and her husband, Jeff of NJ. He will also be deeply missed by his grandchildren, Anthony, Veronica, Jessica, Brian Jr., Kayla, Cory, Matthew, Jake, Benny, Nicholas, Steven, Jennifer and Rocco; and great grandchildren, Cooper, Harper and Aubree, along with a host of extended relatives and friends.
A visitation will be held in the Piscataway Funeral Home, 18 Stelton Road, Piscataway, NJ, on Monday, November 3, 2025, from 4 PM to 7 PM.
A funeral mass will be celebrated at St. Frances Cabrini RC Church, 2058 Bound Brook Avenue, Piscataway, NJ, on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, at 10 AM. Family and friends are invited to gather at the funeral; home prior to mass, beginning at 9 AM.
Following mass, burial will take place at Resurrection Burial Park, 899 E. Lincoln Avenue, Piscataway, NJ.
In lieu of flowers, the Russell family has asked that donations be made in Edward’s name to either the Piscataway PBA Local 93, checks can be made out to PBA Local 93, and mailed to P.O. Box 575, Piscataway, NJ 08855, or to Tunnels to Towers Foundation.