July 24, 2008 – Edwin G. Russell Sr. died on July 19, in New York City, at the age of 84. Edwin lived a full and rich life. Born in Frederiksted, St. Croix on Nov. 28, 1923, he was baptized Edwin George Russell at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Frederiksted and graduated from that school with honors in 1940. He served in the military as first sergeant and immediate commander of the Virgin Islands Voluntary Soldiers in the United States Army during World War II.
He attended New York University and worked for the United States Mission to the United Nations in New York City during the UN's formative years, where he interacted frequently with Eleanor Roosevelt and other dignitaries. Then he worked as a cryptographer for the U.S. Foreign Service at the U.S. embassies in Geneva, Bonn and Paris. In Paris, he was acquainted with much of the arts and literary community of the 1950s including James Baldwin, Josephine Baker, Art Buchwald and many more. Edwin is the author of an unpublished memoir.
A world traveler and a life-long student of etymology, he spoke five languages: Spanish, French, German, Italian and English. After leaving the U.S Foreign Service and traveling through the Middle East, he moved back to New York City where he lived with other Virgin Islanders in the arts community of Greenwich Village. He engaged in professional photography, was a political activist, a part-time court reporter and connoisseur of fine art, music, literature and food.
In the 1980s, he moved back to his home in St. Croix for retirement. He enjoyed hanging out in Christiansted with friends and talking about world politics and the social issues that face humanity and the territory.
He was preceded in death by his brother, the late Ralph Andrews. Surviving are his wife, Louise Russell; brothers: Rafael Russell, Granville Christopher and Mario Russell; sisters: Helen and Carmen Russell; children: Edward Russell, Edwin G. Russell Jr., Ronald E. Russell and Renee Russell; and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Edwin G. Russell Sr. will be cremated in New York City, and his remains will be transported to St. Croix for a memorial service on Aug. 28, at a time and place to be determined.
