Harold Russell "Russ" Brownlee

CUYAHOGA FALLS- Harold Russell Brownlee (Russ) passed away June 12, 2024. He was preceded in death by parents Roy Russell and Ethel (Yaste) Brownlee; wife, Mary Lou (Frye) Brownlee in 1969; and wife, Helen (Hafler) Brownlee on August 25, 2015. Russ is survived by two cousins John (Linda) Davis, Needham, MA, and Marilyn Harvey, Orlando, FL. Helen’s sisters, Grace (Henry) Dobersztyn, Mary Ann Mullahy, and brother Tom Hafler survive. The many descendants in the Hafler and Frye families, nieces and nephews, also survive. Russ enjoyed being referred to as Uncle Russ in both families.

Russ was born in Franklin In on 12-24-1929 and graduated from Franklin High School and Purdue University with a degree in Electrical Engineering. He was employed with Bell Aircraft in Buffalo NY (Niagara Falls Airport) for 3 years before being drafted into the U.S. Army between the Vietnam and Korean wars and was stationed at Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD, Ballistics Research Lab Company, with TDY in Nevada and the Marshall Islands. After discharge, he was employed by Goodyear Aerospace and retired in 1989 from GAC/LORAL with 33 years service. Russ enjoyed many years traveling with Helen by car and with tour groups around the States and Canada, Elderhostel Learning Programs, some of which included golf instruction, Helen’s selection he said, plus many different casinos. Russ and Helen also enjoyed attending high school reunions in Franklin and Wellington OH.

Russ played the piano starting from age 7, and he said although not great, it was enough to keep his fingers limber into old age. After retiring, Russ took the H&R Block tax course, but decided not to be employed, and instead learned chair re-caning, attending working classes at Lions Park Lodge, Cuyahoga Falls, a time-consuming hobby. When a chair was finished, there was something to show for your efforts.

The family would like to give a special thank you to Pebble Creek and Summa Hospice for their extended care and comfort.

Family and friends may call from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm on Wednesday, June 19, at the Clifford-Shoemaker Funeral Home, 1930 Front St., Cuyahoga Falls. A memorial service will follow immediately at 12:00 pm. Fr. Tom McCann officiating. Interment Holy Cross Cemetery. 

In lieu of other remembrances, memorials may be made to the St. Joseph Church Memorial Fund, 215 Falls Ave., Cuyahoga Falls, OH 44221.