Russell Paul Haggerty, 76, of Bethpage, Long Island, NY, passed away suddenly September 9, 2021, in his home of 70 years. Born June 27, 1945, in Freeport, NY, Russell graduated from Plainedge HS in 1963 where he competed in gymnastics and golf. He enrolled in ROTC prior to HS graduation so he could attend the University of New Mexico in Alburquerque. While attending college, he was called to active service in the US Navy. He served as a radio operator during the Vietnam conflict transporting fuel on the oil tankers Severin and Sabine in the Mediterranean Sea and Atlantic Ocean. By 1970, he transferred to the naval reserves until honorable discharge in 1972.

He began work at Fairchild Republic Aviation as a junior engineer on the A10 Thunderbolt II “Warthog” jet aircraft. While there, he participated in the flying club and began taking flying lessons at Mid-Island Flying School in Deer Park, NY obtaining his private pilot license in January 1973. He and a colleague opened a machine shop business called R & R Industries manufacturing various custom parts. He returned to Fairchild Republic Aviation until he was recruited by EMS Development in 1982 where he worked as an engineer developing degaussing systems for the US Navy until 1995. A summer intern at EMS, Ron Parigoris, was mentored by Russell and together they received their balloon pilot licenses. Their balloon adventures led to a blind date for Russell with Joyce whom he married on February 13, 1987, in Massapequa Park. In February 1996, he began work in the engineering department of RFI Corporation developing high voltage power supplies and electrical components.

By 2003, he left to pursue his passion of aviation, operating as a tow pilot for glider pilots out in Westhampton, NY. He eventually earned his Airframe and Power Plant license enabling him to perform annual inspections and repairs on general aviation aircraft which he continued until his untimely death. Russell was a fantastic storyteller recounting his experiences serving in the US Navy, flying, and traveling. With his wife of 34 years, Joyce, they visited many friends and relatives across the country and overseas in Norway, Ireland, Scotland, France, Italy, and Turkey. He enjoyed cooking and would host Saint Patrick’s Day corned beef feasts and Norwegian krumkake Christmas cookie traditions. His cole slaw and “Russell’s” sprouts recipes were legendary and made cookouts and Thanksgiving forever memorable. He easily mastered any skill including guitar-making in the basement with his father, the black diamond US Open golf course at Bethpage, and even taught Joyce skeet shooting and flying. Russell had an offbeat sense of humor with the ability to respond with instant quips. He is a man loved and adored by all his family and friends. Russell leaves behind his wife Joyce (Christiansen) and in-laws James and Corinne Christiansen. He was brother-in-law to Richard and Janet Love, George and Joanne Jakubowski, and Stephen and Jean Rinaldi. He was Uncle Russell to Jennifer, Daniel, Laura, Thomas, Stephen and Brian and a special great uncle to Amelia. He is predeceased by his father Richard and mother Lorraine.