Russell Hyde Obituary

Russell Hyde
Russell Hyde, 79, of Essex, CT, beloved husband of his late wife Susan Hyde, passed away peacefully on May 30, 2023, at Middlesex Hospital. His daughter, Jaymie, was at his bedside. Russ was born on June 23, 1943. He grew up in Westport, CT and graduated from Staples High School in 1961.
A gifted athlete, he played basketball and baseball and loved golf all his life. After high school, he served in the U.S. Navy for four years and married his childhood sweetheart Susan Lawder Hyde in 1965. He began college at the University of Denver and graduated from UConn with a degree in forestry. Russ had a lifelong love of nature and was known for his good looks, healthy tan and full head of hair (blond in his youth, silver as he matured). His friendly disposition won him many friends. Russ, Susan, and their beloved daughter, Jaymie, moved to Essex in the 1970s. Russ began his career as a blacksmith for the Essex Forge (owned by Susan's parents) and ended up owning it with Susan. The Forge produced hand-crafted colonial lighting and fireplace tools for Old Sturbridge Village and Saybrook Home, among other prestigious accounts. Russ later managed the North Sail catalog, worked as a sales rep. for Tantor Media in Old Saybrook, and oversaw production at Leather Man in Essex. Because Russ and Sue lived in Essex for over fifty years, they were prominent members of the community.
Russ was an open, honest, and an even-tempered man. An avid reader, he was still reading on his Kindle just hours before he died. In later years, he became a wonderful grandfather to his beloved grandsons, Liam and Henry.
Russ is survived by his daughter, Jaymie Hyde of Essex and her husband, Bob Pellerin; his grandsons, Liam and Henry Breckenfeld of Essex; his younger brother, Howard and wife, Wendy of Weekapaug, RI; his sister, Judy Romano and her children, Jennifer and Jarret of Stratford; and his predeceased older brother, Richard.

A Celebration of Life will be held July 15 at 3 pm at the Essex Corinthian Yacht Club in Essex, Ct

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Westport-News from Jun. 6 to Jun. 14, 2023.

Memories and Condolences
for Russell Hyde

Sponsored by Abbey Cremation Service - Rocky Hill.

4 Entries

Pam and Bill Long

July 5, 2023

OUR SYMPATHIES GO OUT TO ALL THE FAMILY.
IT WAS A PRIVILEGE TO KNOW HIM. SENDING OUR LOVE PAM AND BILL LONG

Karen Thorsen

June 12, 2023

My clearest memories of Russell, his wife Susan and daughter Jaymie are from when I was younger -- and cousin Bruce Lawder's tribute below perfectly encapsulates my appreciation of Russell. As an only child myself (daughter of Wally & Emy Thorsen, cousins of Russel's in-laws, Wally & Verna Lawder), I have always revered the glorious chaos of this warm and wonderful family and treasured our reunions whenever they happened. My hope is that we will continue to rebuild family ties when we celebrate both Russell and Susan at future gatherings.

Bonnie Edwards

June 3, 2023

Thank you Mr Hyde for all you did to make our children´s childhood in the Hamptons special with your kindness, intellect, and love... in our hearts and prayers. Bonnie & Chase

Wally Lawder

June 3, 2023

I remember Russell fondly, as a kind, curious and genuine man with a great sense of humor. Growing up in Westport, and as a cousin to Susan, Russell´s wife, I was around when they were first dating, but being eight years younger, I really didn´t get to know Russell until I reached adulthood. I would see him at family gatherings in Westport and then later in Essex. I left Connecticut in the mid 1980´s and then our encounters were few and far between. I believe one of the last times I saw him was at a small "second memorial gathering" for my dad in New York in 2002 (the first was a big one, in Mali, Africa, where he had passed away). In my informal eulogy I was describing the big memorial in Africa; I meant to say "the people of the village" but instead came out with "the village people". Well, Russell, in the back row and with his great sense of humor, was obviously reminded of the Village People and decided that this was the perfect moment to start singing "YMCA" complete with arm gestures. He managed to get a few others to sing along with him briefly. It was the perfect moment of levity and this just may be my favorite memory of him.

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