Russell F. Ouillette

TYNGSBORO - Russell F. Ouillette, age 81, a resident of Tyngsboro and former longtime Lowell, and Dracut resident died Monday, October 18, 2021 at St. Joseph Hospital in Nashua following a brief illness. He was the beloved husband of Claire C. (Montgrain) Ouillette, to whom he was married for what have been a remarkable 59 years this coming January 12, 2022.

He was born in Lowell on September 26, 1940, and was a son of the late George and Anne (Blanchard) Ouillette. He received his education in Lowell schools before having to join the work-force early on to help his family with financial responsibility.

Prior to his retirement, Russell was employed by Fox Packaging performing shipping and receiving duties. Russell was most notable for working as a maintenance engineer among other responsibilities at Merrimack Warehouse Inc. Lowell and Ayer Ma. locations having been employed there well over 35 years where he made many great co-workers and friends. He held many jobs prior to that working in the same industry. He was a very hard worker who would often times take on a second or even a third job throughout the years. He did everything in his power to make sure his family was provided for and then some.

He enjoyed tinkering around the garage, or the house, sitting in his favorite recliner watching television often times falling asleep, and earlier in his life, hunting and snowmobiling. His greatest joy however, was spending time in the company of his loving family, especially his adoring grandchildren, affectionately known as Pepere, he enjoyed attending their dance recitals, going to their games and the many family functions such as birthdays holidays, and cookouts. He had such a great personality with his dry witty sense of humor with his bad corny Dad jokes, a singing voice only he could appreciate "what a voice, what a voice, you're just jealous of this voice" he would say after someone telling him to please stop singing, and he was strong as a bull often teasing people with what will forever be known as "the claw", he would grab your knee with his vice grip like hand and just squeeze until you said I give. He also enjoyed vacationing with the family, and long car drives with his beautiful wife Claire especially during the fall months looking at the foliage. A loving caring man who was always curious about you and what you had going on, and asking his many questions. He will forever be missed but his spirit and legacy will live eternally.


In addition to his wife, Russell is survived by his five children, AnneMarie Routhier and her husband Michael "Mitch" of Port Orange, FL, Gail Meredith of Tyngsboro, Russell J. Ouillette and his wife Kathy of Lowell, John Ouillette and his companion Lorraine Brewer of Nashua, NH, and Raymond Ouillette and his wife Angela of Dracut; ten grandchildren, Jennifer Brandao and her husband Joseph of Chesapeake, VA, Shannon Fontaine of Worcester, Cheyenne Lewis and her husband Mark of New Smyrna Beach, FL, Thomas (TJ) Schaefer Jr. and his wife Laura of Cape Cod, Katie Ryea of Lowell, Brianna McBee and her husband Sean of Merrimack, NH, Katie Allen of Myrtle Beach, SC, and Raymond "RJ" Ouillette, Jr., Sadie Ouillette, and Paisley Ouillette all of Dracut; many great grandchildren; a sister, Ruth Ann Greene of Lowell; a sister-in-law, Judith Ouillette of East Wilton, ME, longtime brother-in-law George Greene Sr. of Derry, NH, his friend and former employer, Henry Woodle and his wife Dorothy (Dot) of Groton; his lifelong friend, Maurice (Moe) Therrien and his wife Maura of Walpole; his friend Barry Boucher and his wife Denise of Pepperell and close family/friends Roland and Elaine Boucher of Tyngsboro; and many nieces and nephews.

He was also the brother of the late Walter Ouillette and the father-in-law of the late Michael Fontaine and Thomas Meredith.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend Russell's Life Celebration at the MCKENNA-OUELLETTE FUNERAL HOME, 327 Hildreth Street, Lowell on Tuesday, October 26th from 4:00 until 7:00pm followed by his Funeral Service at 7:00pm at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Russell's memory to Joslin Diabetes Center, One Joslin Place, Suite 745, Boston, MA 02215 or at www.joslin.org/support-joslin.