Timeline for Russell A. Day
Born: November 25, 1969
Died: December 26, 2023
Russell A. Day, 54, of Enfield, CT, raised in Ludlow, MA, passed away on Tuesday December 26, 2023, with his brother, sister-in-law, niece, nephews and cousins all by his side. Son of the late John and Patricia (Rooney) Day, he was born in Holyoke on November 25, 1969. Russ was a 1987 graduate of Cathedral High School, where he was president of his Senior class, and Williams College, class of 1991, where he stirred controversy co-hosting the wildly popular “Taking Off the Gloves” political talk radio show. He earned his law degree from the University of Notre Dame, sporadically attending class and faithfully attending football games. For 30 years, Russ lived and worked in Washington D.C., where he owned his own legal staffing agency which focused on treating the temporary lawyers he employed with respect and fairness, as he was a former temp himself. After moving to Enfield to be closer to family, Russ defied the odds and was elected President of the Grey’s Athletic Association even while steadfastly avoiding any manner of athletic activity himself.
Russ loved belting out Irish folk tunes, arguing politics, publishing irreverently funny greeting cards, writing parody songs about his friends and authoring at least one touchingly beautiful children’s story. He could keep you on the phone for hours.
Russ loved his family dearly, including his late parents and beloved Nana, Helen Rooney, and his late Aunt Julie and Uncle Billy Rooney. He was always there to provide sage advice to his younger brother, enjoyed discussing the finer points of Catholic doctrine with his sister-in-law, and introduced his niece and nephews to high culture, including the Three Stooges and Rambo. He loved his cousins including, his late cousin Kevin Rooney. His trivia quizzes were the highlight of family gatherings and were always hotly contested, as the prize for a correct answer was a “semi-crisp” dollar bill.
He is survived by his brother Tom Day and his wife Kate of West Springfield; nephews Jack, Tim and Mikey Day and his niece Lily Day. He also leaves his devoted cousins Maureen Rooney and Bill and Laura Rooney, along with their children Michael Murray, Ryan and Gina Murray; Allie and Kyle Deaton, Casey Rooney and Kate Rooney, as well a slew of devoted and true friends. His family and friends will be telling stories about Russ for the remainder of their days.
Russ’ family would like to thank the staff at St. Francis Hospital in Hartford for their outstanding care, his devoted friends Jo and Alex, for always being there for him and his neighbor Dominique for coming to his aid in his time of need. The outpouring of support from Russ’ family and friends during his hospitalization was something his brother and sister-in-law will never, ever forget.
Funeral services for Russ will be Thursday, January 4, 2024 at 9:00 AM at the Kapinos-Mazur Funeral Home, 64 Sewall St., Ludlow, MA followed by a Liturgy of Christian Burial at 10:00 AM in St. Elizabeth’s Parish. Russ will be buried with his parents at Island Pond Cemetery. Visiting hours at the funeral home will be Wednesday, January 3, 2024 from 4:00-7:00 PM. Donations in Russ’s memory may be made to Pope Francis Preparatory School, 99 Wendover Road , Springfield, MA 01118 or www.popefrancisprep.org.
My deepest condolences to Russ's family and friends, and my sympathies to those who never had the pleasure of knowing him. Russ was one of the smartest and funniest people I've ever known, and he was a principled kind soul. I remember the dinners together, the long talks, the running jokes, how much he adored his family, and I will miss all of that terribly.
In memory of Russell A. Day, Janette Forman lit a candle
My deepest condolences. Russ was a very dear friend. In our Williams B freshman entry, he would endlessly debate me and entertain me. He didn't care that we disagreed on politics or that I knew nothing about baseball. We took road trips to Boston and danced Irish jigs in the dorm. When I was in grad school and he was in law school, we met up and did silly things like attend a pie contest in a small Midwestern town. At crucial times in my life, Russ did not shy away from giving me his honest opinion. He was generous and made me feel seen. I am grateful for his friendship over all these years. I will miss him.
I was very sad to hear this news. He had such a spark of joy, and no matter how much I disagreed with him, there was always a twinkle in his eye when he engaged. May his memory be a blessing.
Russ, You will be dearly missed by all of us in DC. Your quick wit, sarcastic humor, and endless knowledge made you a joy to be around. I fondly look back on our time together. First meeting you at Solon Legal Group where we went from being boss/employee, to friends. During law school, I looked forward to trivia nights at Elephant & Castle where we usually dominated thanks to your ability to retain so much knowledge! You were the glue that held our eclectic friend group together. When you moved back to MA, we were happy for you but sad for us. Now, I know you’ll be giving Irish toasts from above. Instead of saying goodbye, I’ll say: Cheers to you Russ! Much love , Elizabeth (Liz)
It is great sadness to hear the passing of Russ, We are long time friends of Emmet (Tom) from the Arlington Virginia "Institute" 1990's period. It is there when we met Russ. So many fun stories from those times, late night debates, belting Irish tunes, Celebrating Emmet (Tom) and Kates wedding to more recent times several years ago at a reunion in the Poconos. Russ made us all laugh that deep down laugh that always had me angling to sit next to him at the table. In the last few years, I enjoyed his FB antics where he crafted his views most humorously. He messaged us often regarding our family and my dad's sickness. I can not believe he has passed. Without a doubt, he is in heaven having some bang-up discussions. Our sincere condolences to the Day and Rooney family. He will be greatly missed.
In memory of Russell A. Day, American Redwood Consulting lit a candle
In memory of Russell A. Day, Diana Tsai lit a candle
In memory of Russell A. Day, Joseph Roach lit a candle
My heartfelt sympathy to Russ' family at this difficult time. Russ was a classmate of mine at Williams. I have fond memories of heated political debates, drinking beers and singing Irish ballads, sledding on dining hall trays in the winter, and much laughter. He was brilliant, and kind, and funny. Holding you all in my prayers.
My sincerest condolences on the passing of Rus. Knew him from the Grey's. Always a gentleman with a quick wit, and intelligence. He will be missed, I will miss him.
In memory of Russell A. Day, Richard Remlinger "REM" lit a candle
You were one of a kind, and thank God. I’ll always miss you.
Russ and I were law school classmates. If he spent the same effort on his classes as he did interpreting the Honor Code to justify his personal off-book lending system for the library’s most obscure volumes, I’m certain he would have been our class valedictorian - do they call it that in law school? Russ was a pleasure to speak with and was always resdy with a hilarious anecdote and an impish grin. We studied together for our legal research class using flash cards he’d made. One card read: Q- do later case service updates have pocket parts? A- is the Pope Catholic? Before the politicization of everything, Russ got a grant after our first year to report on nonacademic university classes growing in prevalence at our most elite universities at the time. I’d never imagined courses on pornography or African American hairstyles, but Russ saw that trend early and sounded the alarm. I don’t think I’ve spoken to Russ since we graduated, but I’ve thought of him often and assumed we’d run into one another and catch up over a beer any day now. I’m very disappointed that won’t happen now. Russ was brilliant, hilarious, and delightful to be around. I am so sorry we have lost him.
I am going to miss my Irish friend and the hours we spent at The Dubliner, next to Union Station. We sang Irish Odes and reveled in the simplicity of our lives. At that time and space, nothing was complicated. Russ was simply brilliant - a character memorialized in time. His love and appreciation of the sanctity of life will be his legacy - he will be missed.
Date: Wednesday, January 3, 2024
Time: 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Date: Thursday, January 4, 2024
Time: 9:00 am
Date: Thursday, January 4, 2024
Time: 10:00 am
Date: Thursday, January 4, 2024
Time: 11:00 am
Donations in Russ’s memory may be made to Pope Francis Preparatory School, 99 Wendover Road , Springfield, MA 01118 or www.popefrancisprep.org.
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Our sincere condolences.
The staff of Kapinos-Mazur Funeral Home.
My deepest condolences to Russ's family and friends, and my sympathies to those who never had the pleasure of knowing him. Russ was one of the smartest and funniest people I've ever known, and he was a principled kind soul. I remember the dinners together, the long talks, the running jokes, how much he adored his family, and I will miss all of that terribly.
In memory of Russell A. Day, Janette Forman lit a candle
My deepest condolences. Russ was a very dear friend. In our Williams B freshman entry, he would endlessly debate me and entertain me. He didn't care that we disagreed on politics or that I knew nothing about baseball. We took road trips to Boston and danced Irish jigs in the dorm. When I was in grad school and he was in law school, we met up and did silly things like attend a pie contest in a small Midwestern town. At crucial times in my life, Russ did not shy away from giving me his honest opinion. He was generous and made me feel seen. I am grateful for his friendship over all these years. I will miss him.
I was very sad to hear this news. He had such a spark of joy, and no matter how much I disagreed with him, there was always a twinkle in his eye when he engaged. May his memory be a blessing.
Russ, You will be dearly missed by all of us in DC. Your quick wit, sarcastic humor, and endless knowledge made you a joy to be around. I fondly look back on our time together. First meeting you at Solon Legal Group where we went from being boss/employee, to friends. During law school, I looked forward to trivia nights at Elephant & Castle where we usually dominated thanks to your ability to retain so much knowledge! You were the glue that held our eclectic friend group together. When you moved back to MA, we were happy for you but sad for us. Now, I know you’ll be giving Irish toasts from above. Instead of saying goodbye, I’ll say: Cheers to you Russ! Much love , Elizabeth (Liz)
It is great sadness to hear the passing of Russ, We are long time friends of Emmet (Tom) from the Arlington Virginia "Institute" 1990's period. It is there when we met Russ. So many fun stories from those times, late night debates, belting Irish tunes, Celebrating Emmet (Tom) and Kates wedding to more recent times several years ago at a reunion in the Poconos. Russ made us all laugh that deep down laugh that always had me angling to sit next to him at the table. In the last few years, I enjoyed his FB antics where he crafted his views most humorously. He messaged us often regarding our family and my dad's sickness. I can not believe he has passed. Without a doubt, he is in heaven having some bang-up discussions. Our sincere condolences to the Day and Rooney family. He will be greatly missed.
In memory of Russell A. Day, American Redwood Consulting lit a candle
In memory of Russell A. Day, Diana Tsai lit a candle
In memory of Russell A. Day, Joseph Roach lit a candle
My heartfelt sympathy to Russ' family at this difficult time. Russ was a classmate of mine at Williams. I have fond memories of heated political debates, drinking beers and singing Irish ballads, sledding on dining hall trays in the winter, and much laughter. He was brilliant, and kind, and funny. Holding you all in my prayers.
My sincerest condolences on the passing of Rus. Knew him from the Grey's. Always a gentleman with a quick wit, and intelligence. He will be missed, I will miss him.
In memory of Russell A. Day, Richard Remlinger "REM" lit a candle
You were one of a kind, and thank God. I’ll always miss you.
Russ and I were law school classmates. If he spent the same effort on his classes as he did interpreting the Honor Code to justify his personal off-book lending system for the library’s most obscure volumes, I’m certain he would have been our class valedictorian - do they call it that in law school? Russ was a pleasure to speak with and was always resdy with a hilarious anecdote and an impish grin. We studied together for our legal research class using flash cards he’d made. One card read: Q- do later case service updates have pocket parts? A- is the Pope Catholic? Before the politicization of everything, Russ got a grant after our first year to report on nonacademic university classes growing in prevalence at our most elite universities at the time. I’d never imagined courses on pornography or African American hairstyles, but Russ saw that trend early and sounded the alarm. I don’t think I’ve spoken to Russ since we graduated, but I’ve thought of him often and assumed we’d run into one another and catch up over a beer any day now. I’m very disappointed that won’t happen now. Russ was brilliant, hilarious, and delightful to be around. I am so sorry we have lost him.
I am going to miss my Irish friend and the hours we spent at The Dubliner, next to Union Station. We sang Irish Odes and reveled in the simplicity of our lives. At that time and space, nothing was complicated. Russ was simply brilliant - a character memorialized in time. His love and appreciation of the sanctity of life will be his legacy - he will be missed.
Kapinos-Mazur Funeral Home
Our sincere condolences.
The staff of Kapinos-Mazur Funeral Home.