Obituary of Gregory James Russell

Gregory James Russell lost his battle to cancer on January 31 st , 2025 at the age of 45. He was a warm, loving, and caring person who will be remembered and missed by all friends and family lucky enough to have known him. Gregory was born on November 21 st , 1979 to his loving parents Dennis and Marion Russell. He grew up in Wanamassa, NJ along with his two siblings, older brother Dennis Jr. and younger sister Morgan. Greg shared close relationships and the bonds of friendships with many Aunts, Uncles, and too many cousins to name here. These connections continued and deepened as Greg matured to adulthood. Family parties and reunions were always one of his favorite times to share with those he loved. Greg graduated from Ocean Township High School in 1998. He is still fondly remembered by his high school friends as the most loyal and true friend they ever knew. For Greg once you were his friend you were his friend for life and he would do anything for his friends. After graduating high school, Greg continued his education at Montclair State University pursuing a career in business. He earned his diploma in 2003 with a double major in Business and Finance. While at Montclair Greg joined the Alpha Kappa Psi fraternity. He made many friends and through the years was a wonderful ‘Big’ to several new initiates. Greg blended his new friends with his high school crew and his family, although he was the person that unified them all. After graduating from Montclair, Greg worked in Management and then the Corporate offices at Aeropostale. Anyone who had Greg as their boss during his tenure at this company remembers him as ‘the best’. He was a mentor, a role model, and a friend. In 2012 he moved to Ralph Lauren Polo working as a Distribution Analyst, a role he continued until he was retired due to medical reasons in 2013. After retirement, Greg moved to Whiting NJ where he resided until his passing. He enjoyed keeping up with friends and his growing family. He spent many days with his parents, his sister Morgan and her husband and Greg’s close friend, Jesse. He also loved visits from his brother Dennis which deepened his close bonds with his nephews Dennis III and Aiden and his niece Aaliyah. Greg also was the organizer of pool and beach days that brought his family and friends together. In all memories he is always smiling. Greg was diagnosed with Colon Cancer in 2023 and was determined to fight to survive. He endured years of chemo treatments and hospitalizations. He stayed positive and kept his friends and family close to his heart. He never gave up fighting to the end. He lost his hard-fought battle on January 31 st , 2025. Greg is survived by his parents, Dennis & Marion Russell, his older brother Dennis Jr., and his beloved sister Morgan. He will also be missed by his nephews, Dennis III and Aiden, and his niece Aaliyah. He is also mourned deeply by too many Aunts, Uncles, and cousins to list along with friends he made and cherished his entire life. Greg deeply loved his friends and family and they loved him. He will be missed tremendously. He will be remembered for his generosity, his smile, his loyalty, and his strength and resilience to carry on in the face of adversity. We will always carry the memories of him in our hearts. In lieu of flowers, please send donations in Gregory Russell’s name to support Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Checks, made payable to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, should be mailed to:Attn: Community Fundraising  Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Office of Development PO Box 27106 New York, NY 10087 Please indicate on the check memo line that the gift is in memory of Gregory Russell. Donate in Memory or Honor for Cancer Research | MSK Giving