Henry Russell ”Russ” Worthington III passed away suddenly on May 11, 2022 aged 78. Russ was born November 9, 1943 in West Chester PA to Henry Russell Worthington Jr and Louise Strode. He was part of the farming community there attending his first grange meeting before he was a year old.
He graduated Cherry Hill High School in 1962 and went on to The College of New Jersey. In 1964 he joined the Coast Guard as a Radioman aboard the USCGC Halfmoon, going through training in Cape May, NJ before heading out to Vietnam in 1967. He returned from Vietnam in 1968. He lived in the Washington DC area until 1982 when he moved to Long Valley NJ and then he moved to Hackettstown NJ. His professional life, September 1968-Dec 1998, was spent as a manager for Bell Telephone and AT&T.
When in DC he was active in the emergency preparedness squad and a barbershop quartet and the Alexandria Harmonizers barbershop chorus. In NJ he was very involved at Church of the Messiah for many years. After he retired from AT&T he worked for the Diocese of Newark. During his retirement he began to expand his hobby of genealogy, after his daughter gifted him with genealogy management software. He became very involved in the community doing everything from beta testing software to co-hosting a YouTube show Mondays with Myrt to teaching classes at genealogy conferences & at Heath Village. It was while preparing for a class at Heath Village that he passed away.
He is survived by his wife Patricia (nee Applebey), his daughters Carrie (Patrick), Jennie, step-son Justin, granddaughters Anna, Samantha and Bethany, and his brother Richard.
Family and friends are invited to his memorial service on June 11 at 11 am at Liebenzell Retreat Center, 13 Heath Lane, Schooley’s Mountain, NJ 07870.
Memorial Donations may be made to The Coast Guard Foundation, St Jude’s Hospital, or the American Cancer Society.
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Pat Richley-Erickson says
May 16, 2022 at 10:19 pmCousin Russ was what’s good in this world!
❤️🤗❤️🤗❤️🤗❤️🤗❤️🤗❤️🤗❤️🤗❤️
We, who are missing him, can reflect on the MARVELOUS times we’ve had rubbing shoulders with incredible friends, colleagues, and mentors over the years. Today I’m in AWE of who Russ was for us and AMAZED by his GENEROSITY and KINDNESS.
Cousin Russ took the time to help wherever needed. He tested game shows with Michael Daniels before they ever became a thing.
Cousin Russ helped people understand Zoom, our de facto communication method during these last two years of Covid isolation. He and I made special short subject videos to get people started. We helped university institutes switch from in-person to virtual. Last summer began our series on how to effectively hold hybrid Zoom meetings and webinars where attendees and speakers could elect to attend virtually or in person.
Cousin Russ was a recognized authority on Family Tree Maker software. His YouTube channel reflects his best thinking on the subject.
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ALWAYS take the time to let people know you love them. You never know when out of the blue something will happen. I’m glad I gave him his Cousin Russ cap years ago during an all day genealogy conference sponsored by the Washington DC Family History Center.
And much later I honored Cousin Russ for his diligent research including info about his Union Civil War ancestor at one of my RootsTech after-parties in my home. ❤️
Cousin Russ was the best partner a person could ever have. I would tell him from time to time. No one was prepared for this shock. 💔
I’m sure he’s going to continue his “helping” work on the other side.
Cousin Russ
Henry Russell Worthington III
1943-2022
Teri chaffin says
May 16, 2022 at 10:40 pmSo very sorry for loss. Cousin Russ was a blessing to us all
Gennean Croker says
May 16, 2022 at 11:52 pmA Great man who was so kind to help others and just a joy to hear him speak on many Livestreams I will miss his interaction with his cousin he always made me laugh and smile God bless Cousin Russ and the family for a beautiful soul who will be sorely missed.
Shelley says
May 17, 2022 at 3:14 amCousin Russ, I will truly miss you. You have shocked us all. But wow what a legacy you have left us. I was in FTM and experienced a hiccup. I went to send you a message and just teared up. You were one of the kindest men I know. You always were there to help anytime I and others needed you. I will remember our discussions on our Worthington’s. I honor our friendship and cherish it forever! RIP cousin! Your Dr. Shelley!
Marian Wood says
May 17, 2022 at 2:16 pmCousin Russ was indeed a blessing to the genealogy community and to any community that was lucky enough to have him as a member. He will be sorely missed. Sending heartfelt sympathy to the entire family at this difficult time.
Maria C Capaldi says
May 17, 2022 at 4:48 pmI’m very sorry for your loss! He is and will continue to be missed by many, many people. Godspeed Russ!
Wanda E Looney says
May 18, 2022 at 12:37 pmWe are so sorry for your loss. He will be missed by all who knew him in the Genealogy world.
Flo Merritt says
May 18, 2022 at 4:43 pmTruly sorry for your loss. Know that even though many of us didn’t get to meet him in person, that he was well loved in the genealogy community.
Cari Gerrits says
May 19, 2022 at 2:46 pmAlways enjoyed commiserating about our mutual adoration of the awful Washington football team with Russ. Being a fan of that team is never easy…Russ made it a bit more bearable. Sending love to all his family and friends.
Molly McKinley says
May 19, 2022 at 3:48 pmCousin Russ was my real cousin through the Worthington/Gassaway line. He was so much fun to interact with. His enthusiasm for family history was contagious. He helped me so many times with genealogy blocks.
He will be missed for so many reasons. God bless you, Patty, and your family. May peace and comfort be yours in these coming days.
Kathleen St. John Reich says
May 19, 2022 at 7:19 pmOur Family Roots & Shoots group has been so sorry to learn of Russ’s passing. His enthusiasm for genealogy was so infectious! Our sincere condolences to all of his family and friends.
Fiona Tellesson says
May 20, 2022 at 1:23 pmCousin Russ, larger then life and so giving and generous. So glad I got to meet Cousin Russ. Deepest sympathies to his wife Patti and all his family and friends. Especially to Pat aka Dear Myrt.
Nothing prepares us for those final goodbyes👋🏻
Goodbye Cousin Russ, may your legacies continue to shine ✨
Thank you 🙏🏻 for your service xoxo 😘 🥰
John Donaldson says
June 23, 2022 at 5:39 amLiving in Australia, I never met Russ, but we worked together for about 10 years as alpha testers for Ancestry on Family Tree Maker. and we had many email conversations and a few Skype Chats, along with the other alpha team members. Russ freely shared his vast knowledge of Family Tree Maker to the whole world and I regret that I never caught up with him for a chat at RootsTech.
Cheers
John D
Pam D says
June 24, 2022 at 9:24 pmTruly one of the best examples of kindness and Pay it Forward attitude, of so many in the genealogical world. May those who mourn find peace, may love and kindness continue. May we hope he’s enjoying great fulfilment as every brickwall is removed, and family history is fully revealed. Peace light and love. And Many extra thanks to his loved ones especially for allowing us the time together.
Bennett Russell says
July 10, 2022 at 12:46 amIn searching for some tips, I just spotted a link to cousin Russ death notice. So I do want to offer my sincere condolences. He has helped me many times. I know he will be missed so much by all the genealogists out there. My prayers and thoughts go out to his wife, and family. God Bless you all.
Willie Williams says
November 19, 2022 at 7:32 pmTo The Family,
So sorry for your loss. “Russ” as we knew him in the radio shack – we served together in Vietnam aboard the Halfmoon and briefly together at AT&T in Bedminster. condolences and blessings to the family.
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