October 1, 2009
Besser, Russell W.
Russell Ward Besser, a resident of Walpole for 4 years and formerly of Westwood for over 40 years, died Wednesday, September 30, 2009 at the Harrington House in Walpole. He was 86. Mr. Besser was born in North Providence, Rhode Island and was the son of the late Gordon F. and Gertrude (Ward) Besser. He joined the United States Army in 1943, during World War II, serving with Company C, 503rd Military Police Battalion in the African and European Operations for 3 years. Mr Besser graduated from Brown University in Rhode Island, Class of 1950, with a Bachelor degree in Electrical Engineering. He was Past President of the Boston Chapter of American Society of of Safety Engineers and a member of the National Fire Protection Agency 70 E Electrical Code Committee. He worked at Liberty Mutual Insurance Company in Weston as an Electrical Safety Engineer for over 38 years, retiring in 1988. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Helen M (Turnquist) Besser of Walpole; his children Gary W. Besser, and his wife Mary of East Longmeadow, David R. Besser, and his wife Linda, of Tampa, FL. and Steven A. Besser and his wife Sandy of Framingham. He is also survived by his grandchildren Daniel K and Scott W. Besser, and many nieces and nephews. He was the brother of the late Gordon, William and Cutler Besser. Relatives and friends are invited to attend visiting hours Friday from 4 – 7 pm at Folsom Funeral Home, 649 High St. Westwood. A Graveside service will be Saturday at 11:30 am at Highland Memorial Park, 1 Rhode Island Ave, Johnston, RI. In lieu of flowers donations in Russell’s memory may be made to the Jimmy Fund, 10 Brookline Place West, 6th Floor, Brookline, MA. 02445