Well, I hate to do it again with the bad news about a hockey player dying, but here we go. An old friend of mine from way back in the day was killed in a car accident last Saturday night. Of all the deaths over this summer, the death of Mike Russell hits the hardest. Mike was 36, had a wife and 2 kids, and was my best friend growing up. He will be missed.
I don’t know exactly when and where Mike and I met. I would assume it was the early 80’s, at either a soccer field, or a hockey rink. Mike’s dad, Jim, was a big soccer coach, and Mike was a great soccer player. I was a shitty soccer player, and I hated every second of it, but I’m off topic. Where Mike shined athletically, was hockey. He was gifted on the pond, the rink in his back yard, and on a rink. I remember going into the Russell’s house and the first thing that struck me, was all the damn equipment. Mike had 3 older brothers, and 1 sister that all played, and they had gear everywhere. They also had a sick trophy case in the basement, full of soccer and hockey trophies from all over the place.
Mike and I were inseparable. I am pretty sure the first time I ever drank a beer, I was with Mike. I know I smoked butts with him, and snuck out of the house to get into mischief with him all the time. We were always into something in Thoreau Hills, and around the West Concord area. Our hockey coaches hated having us in practice, especially Mr. Gray, and my dad, because we never paid attention and were always trying sick moves on each other, or fighting with the other kids. We were there to have fun, and since we were good players, we did what we wanted. While everyone was watching the Cosby show on Thursday nights, we were at Valley Sports making my dad miserable!
Once middle school hit, he went to Peabody, and I to Sanborn. We didn’t really see each other much because we fell in with different crowds, and I think our friendship turned into more of a rivalry. We fought each other a couple of times, but somehow we always came out of it as friends. Once Mike went to high school at Belmont Hill, we really didn’t see each other, but I always knew what he was up to through his family.
His family always treated me like one of their own. I am feeling so bad for them right now, I really can’t even describe it. To the Russell family I send my deepest condolences. This has got to be agony for them, and they are most definitely in my thoughts and prayers. The last time I saw Mike alive, I wasn’t very nice to him. I feel terribly about that right now. Russ, you’ll be missed buddy. When I see you on the other side, I owe you an apology. Like always after a handshake and a hug, we’ll be friends again.
Such an ironic story. He sounds like a great guy, he had a wife and two children, was a beloved teacher in Fountain Co. Unfortunately, he is responsible for not only losing his own life, but causing the deaths 2 other innocent victims. A tragic story that needs to be repeated to all young adults as they face adulthood.
For some reason I was looking for some pictures of my brother when I came across this. Not sure which Chris you are but I’m sure we know each other well. Just wanted to say thanks for the post. I know Mike would have loved it.
CR
Peter 998899, There is no irony here, only despair, and heartache. The whole story is horrific, but you don’t get to judge, as Mike’s own personal savior has already passed judgement. I’m not 100% sure if you were TRYING to be a huge dick, but mission accomplished. When your mom let’s you back on the computer, do not comment further on this post. You are invited to look around, and put your 2 cents in on anything else, but you DO NOT come on my blog and pass judgement on my friend you snarky little shit.
mike was my two sons soccer coach at seabury hall in maui for five years. they loved him and were very close to him, as were the soccer team and many of the parents including me. he was so unforgettable, so funny, so smart, and so inspirational to his players.
we had one memorial service for him at seabury and people put leis on the soocer goal and the ground around it, and a red sox and celtics tee-shirt were also placed there. the young men who are in college now and played for him want to have a memorial for him at christmas.
thanks for sharing your story. he is loved and missed by many.