Russell E. Dailey Obituary
Russell E. Dailey, 85, of Rockport, passed away Monday, October 25, 2021, after a brief illness. Born on Cape Ann, he was raised in Rockport and was the oldest of four children to the late Edward J. and Catherine E. Dailey.
A 1953 graduate of Rockport schools, Russell went on to proudly graduate with an undergraduate degree from Boston College and later from Bentley College. In 1962, he married his loving wife of 59 years, Janet M "Arsenault" of Newton, MA. The couple first resided in Newton, MA while starting a family until they returned to Rockport in 1977. He was the proud father to his three children James, Kathleen and Richard.
Russell spent his entire forty-year career as a Commercial Insurance Broker until his retirement. After retirement, until his death, he served as a long-time member and former chairman to the Town of Rockport Insurance Committee. A devout Catholic, Russell served as a long-time lector at St. Joachim's Church in Rockport. Russ was a true native "Rockporter" and could recite local history and lore with the best of them. He really loved living here. Russ was also a very enthusiastic sports fan of both local and Boston teams. Russell's favorite pastimes included following national and local politics, listening to Celtic music, and taking meticulous care of his King Street yard. Over the years, he enjoyed travelling with his family to Cape Cod, NH, Maine, and enjoyed camping in the White Mountains with his children and grandchildren. He especially looked forward to traveling to his mother's homestead in PEI, Canada. In his later years, he enjoyed spending time with his six grandchildren and was a faithful attendee of their many sporting events and musical performances.
Russell is survived by his loving wife Janet of Rockport and his three children and their families: his son James and his wife Beth of Rockport with their three children, Emily, Jonathan and Matthew; Kathleen of Rockport and her daughter Sarah; Richard and his wife Nicole of Gloucester and their two children Rachel and Christopher. He is also survived by three sisters and their families: Diane Spanoghe of Amesbury; Mary Crane and husband Kerry of Montgomery, AL; and Jean Donaldson of Rockport. Russell is also survived by his brothers-in-law Steven Arsenault and his wife Joan of Wolfeboro, NH; Theodore Arsenault of Wolfeboro, NH; and sisters-in-law Rita Quinn of Manomet; and Kathleen Arsenault of East Sandwich, MA. He is also survived by many nephews, nieces and cousins. He was predeceased by his brothers-in-law Fr. Bernie Arsenault, Robert Arsenault, Donald Arsenault, Joseph Spanoghe, and Jade Donaldson.
Visiting hours will be held in the Greely Funeral Home, 212 Washington St. Gloucester on Thursday, October 28, 2021, from 4 to 7 PM. Family and friends are cordially invited. His Funeral Mass will be celebrated in St. Joachim's Church, 56 Broadway, Rockport, MA on Friday, October 29, 2021, at 10 AM. Interment will be held following mass in Beech Grove Cemetery, Rockport, MA. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in his name to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, PO Box 22324, New York, NY 10087.
