In Loving Memory
Carl Brennan Russell
(February 1, 19960 - June 9, 2022)
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Bethel Gilead, VT
The Earth as my canvas,
Life is the easel,
My being the brush,
I paint my dreams.
C.B.R. ‘90
Carl B. Russell, 62, of Bethel Gilead, died unexpectedly in his sleep in the early hours of the morning on Thursday, June 9, 2022.
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He was born February 1, 1960 in Marblehead, MA; the son of Charles B. & Mary (Brennan) Russell. Carl was raised in Norwich and Bethel, and graduated from Hanover High School and the University of Vermont.
Carl lived all of his life on his family property in Bethel, VT. He started Russell Forestry Services in 1986, specializing in ecological forestry and low impact timber harvest. He also owned and operated Earthwise Farm and Forest, an organic, regenerative, draft-animal powered farm, with his wife and children.
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Carl was married to Lisa McCrory in Bethel Gilead on September 15, 2001. He was a co-founder of the Draft Animal-Power Network, past Board Member of Rural Vermont and the White River Partnership, and a past Selectboard Member Chair for the town of Bethel.
Carl enjoyed having deep conversations, living, loving, being with family, writing poetry, and working in the woods. As written by his daughter, Tuilelaith, “He was a humble warrior; someone who embodied love, courage and commitment in the purest and most encompassing ways ever witnessed”.
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Survivors include his wife Lisa McCrory; daughter Tuilelaith Russell-McCrory; sons Timber Russell, Bazel Russell; his sister Martina Green; and some newly discovered siblings thanks to the magic of DNA testing: Victoria, Christopher, Andy, Emma, Sarah, Erland, Jonathan and Bob Jr. He was predeceased by his parents.
Memorial Service for Carl Russell will be on Saturday, 6/25 starting at 1 pm. Location: Carl & Lisa’s pasture located on the Gilead Brook Road where Macintosh Hill begins. We are hoping for this to be an event that celebrates Carl’s life with stories, laughter, and perhaps some tears. A potluck meal will follow. To be part of the potluck offerings, https://mealtrain.com/5m4yzw. (Please don’t feel like you need to bring anything). We will have a walking trail that will lead people from the Celebration of Life to Carl’s resting place.
A private green burial took place on Carl’s farm, where he was laid to rest, on June 15th, in a pine box, milled from trees that he harvested, built with love by his family and friends, and drawn to his final resting place by his team of oxen.
Contributions in his memory may be made to the Draft Animal-Power Network. Address: PO Box 24, Greenwich, NY 12834 or https://www.draftanimalpower.org/donate-advertise