Raymond Russell

We were very sorry to hear of Raymond's death. As organist in Monkstown, he was an inspiring musician and made us very welcome when we lived in Dublin. We had kept in touch since we left Ireland, and were sorry to miss him last year when he had to cancel a visit to Denmark at short notice because of his illness. I am very glad that we had a final chance to meet back in Monkstown earlier this year (when he played magnificently for the funeral of long-standing choir member, Berry Wynne). Our thoughts are with Phyllis and David, and other members of his family and friends.

I had the pleasure of knowing Raymond during the fifteen years of loyal service that he gave to the choir and parish of Monkstown. He was an excellent musician and a brilliant improviser while seated at the organ console. Under Raymond's direction, the choir achieved great things and he ensured that the church music tradition in Monkstown was nurtured and allowed to flourish. May he rest in peace. My condolences to Phyllis and David and the family.

So sorry to read this sad news. Raymond gave me my first organ lessons and I succeeded him as organist of St Peter’s Church, Drogheda in the late 70s. He was a great teacher, organist and choir director. Deepest sympathy to his family and friends.
Gill Blythman (formerly Hill)

My sincere sympathy to Raymond’s family on his recent death.
Raymond’s death came as a shock to me as we had lost touch since Covid and I was not aware he had been ill. I first got to know Raymond many years ago as students in Wesley in St Stephen’s Green. He would have regularly played the organ at the daily morning prayers in the College Chapel and as a junior I greatly admired his playing and I think he gave me my first organ lessons on hymn playing. Many years later, when he moved to Monkstown he asked me to play at some services so he could conduct, such as Christmas, Easter, Harvest etc and he invited me to give one of the Lunchtime organ recital series that he initiated. Raymond travelled widely and also arranged organ master classes for small groups of his friends in Germany, Switzerland and UK and I participated in some of these. And what wonderful experiences they were playing some of Europe’s most famous pipe organs. Raymond, we will miss you greatly and are grateful for your friendship and support. May you now rest in peace.

I am very very sorry to hear of Raymond’s passing. We shared our school years in WCD, the class of 69. Strong, clever, kind. That’s how I remember. Absolutely one of the good ones. My best wishes to all who feel the same, and more.

I have many fond memories of being taught by Mr Russell. He was a great teacher and a very kind man. My sympathies go to all the family.

So sorry to hear of the passing of Mr Russell. He taught me Science at Sutton Park School. He was a man of great patience and perseverance as we were a little on the wild side as teenagers. Have great memories of him and of SPS.

I was so sorry to learn of the passing of Raymond and I write to offer my sincere condolences to his sister and all family members.
Although I knew him as a much respected organist colleague for many years, I got to know him better in latter years after he moved to Monkstown as organist and director of music. He arrived just after the completion of the rebuilding of the organ, a project for which I was the nominated advisor to the parish.
I think he greatly appreciated the refurbished instrument and over a number of years he saw that it was used annually in a series of May recitals. A true gentleman and fine musician, may he rest in the Eternal Peace he so richly deserves.

My deepest condolences and sympathies to Raymond's family and friends. My parents remained close friends with Raymond for decades. I knew Raymond for my whole life and I have great memories of him visiting our home throughout the years. I was saddened by his passing. He was a gentleman, always so nice to be around and I always enjoyed hearing his stories of his travels across the world and his passion for foreign languages and cultures. Rest in Peace Raymond.

Raymond was a great neighbour. I enjoyed and will miss our conversations about everything and anything. His patience with our young kids retrieving footballs, tennis balls and kids toys was remarkable. He is missed by us all.

We were so sorry to hear of Raymond’s passing. Raymond served faithfully on our Board of Management for many years. He was so supportive, quick to lend a hand, provide guidance and helped make our school a better place. He was a real gent. I, like many others that were fortunate enough to meet him, were struck by his passion for music and his kind and gentle way. We will miss him! Stanhope Secondary School

Deepest sympathy to all the family.

Raymond, thank you for your commitment to music, your faithful service in travelling over to Monkstown to give joy to so many. I will forever see your black shoes lying beside your satchel on the floor of the Choir rooms as I would count the collection money as Churchwarden. My thoughts and prayers are with all your family at this sad time. May you rest gently now, knowing that your time on earth has left such wonderful memories.

Jean and Eric are very sorry to hear of Raymond's death. We remember him with pleasure in Trinity College as a Physics student and the Chapel organ scholar. Our sincere condolences go to his family. May he rest in peace.

So sorry to hear of Raymond’s passing. (Have very fond memories of him, particularly of the patience he showed when some of us, as a bunch of wily teenaged students, were often unruly in his classes at SPS. Mark of a great teacher that he managed to teach us something, despite this.) Thinking of him, his family and friends at this time.

Raymond was my first Head of Department and was a committed and enthusiastic teacher. We went away together on many school trips to climb, cave and hike in Ireland and beyond. Always willing to get involved and try something new. His love for music was clearly seen at school and in his community. Raymond added a great deal to many peoples lives both young and old and will be missed by many.

Dear Phyllis. It is with regret we learn of the passing of your dear brother. Our deepest sympathy to the family circle.

I was so very sad to hear this news and my deepest sympathies go to Phyllis, to David [who often sang with us in Monkstown Choir over the years] and to all the family. We learned during lockdown when no singing was allowed that music truly is central to church worship and Raymond was the beating heart of that ministry to all of us in Monkstown. He was also the most wonderful support when he helped arrange and then led the lovely music for my father's recent funeral. I will always be so grateful to him and for him.

My sincerest sympathies to Mr Russell's family. A fine teacher who made a lasting impression on many students lives.

I was extremely sad to hear that Raymond died.he was a.great teacher..vice principal..and super colleague..he will be missed particularly now in the Music Milieu..I want to express.my sympathy to his family and friends

So sorry to hear of the passing of Raymond .
Many happy memories in Sutton Park School where he taught our 4 sons .
May he rest in peace ,

Sincerest sympathy to the family. We met Raymond through SPS, he was a true gentleman, a dedicated teacher and a kind and caring man. May he rest in peace.

Dearest Phyllis we are so so sorry to learn of the passing of your dear brother Raymond . Please know our hearts and thoughts are with you and David and all your family at this sad time. Lots of extra love from us both xox Sandra and Nigel 💜

Very sorry to learn of Raymond's passing. A colleague of 28 years and accompanied by Raymond on many trips to parts of Ireland, Alps and India. He was always a very dedicated teacher and an even more dedicated musician.

My sincere sympathy to all Ray’s family. I was a fellow Spanish student with Ray at the Institut Cervantes and remember him with great affection. May he rest in peace.

So sorry to hear today of Raymond’s passing.
Many fond memories of him from Sutton Park School .
RIP.

We were so very sorry to hear of Raymond’s passing. He was a true gentleman, always loved meeting him and enjoying a chat at the Russell and Whyte family gatherings over the years.
Heartfelt sympathy to our dear friends Phyllis & David, to Geoffrey & Daniela, Timothy & Juliana, to little Sara, his relatives and many friends.
Keeping you in our thoughts & prayers at this sad time for you all.

Very sorry to hear of Raymond’s passing. Sending deepest sympathy all his family at this sad time. Raymond was a true gentleman, an excellent teacher and a great colleague to work with at SPS. My sister and two of my daughters were very fortunate to have been taught by him. May he rest in peace.

So very sad to hear of Raymond's passing. I have great memories of hiking around Mt Blanc with Raymond and friends. Sincere condolences to Phylis and family. I am praying for you that you will know God's strength and support at this time.

My thoughts and prayers are with this lovely human being's family. He always made me feel welcome whenever I attended SPS to do backstage work with the young people with my sister.
May he rest in peace.

It is with great sadness that I heard of the passing of Raymond. I had the pleasure of teaching alongside him at SPS and have many happy memories of these wonderful years. He was a dedicated educator and a true gentleman.
My condolences to the Russell family and his wider circle of friends at this sad time.
Suaimhneas síoraí.

Very sorry to hear of Raymond’s passing. Sending deepest sympathy to you and your family at this sad time. Thinking of you. Janice (Thornhill)

I am so sad to hear of the passing of dear Raymond. He was an inspiration to us all in the choir. He also rose to many challenges I put to him musically for our wedding and I will be forever grateful for it as the music was beautiful. He will be sadly missed by all in Monkstown. Condolences to all of Raymond's family.

Deepest Sympathy to Phyllis David and family on Raymonds passing we are all thinking of you at this very sad time

My deepest sympathies to Raymond's family. He was my wonderful teacher in Sutton Park School and I was very fond of him. He was such a talented musician as well as a science teacher. He was a lovely Gentleman. May he rest in peace.

Very very sorry to hear of Raymond's death. I had known him for 50+ years, first as the one that succeeded me as organist of St Peter's Church Drogheda, then as a teaching colleague in Mount Temple School and then as a colleague organist of St Mary's Church Howth (we officiated month about for some years). We had regularly kept in touch.

Raymond thank you so much for ten years of wonderful music in Monkstown Church both as a listener & choir member. Your time with us will never be forgotten.
Condolences to all family members especially Phyllis &David.

Deepest sympathy to Raymond’s family from all at Church Music Dublin. Raymond was a valued member of our committee and spent much time quietly encouraging and mentoring the next generation of organists. His skills, educational wisdom and friendship will be greatly missed. May he rest in the peace of Christ.

So sorry to hear of the death of Raymond, I taught with him for many years in Sutton. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.

Very sad to hear that Raymond has passed away. Myself and older son bumped into him last year and he was in great form . He was a good colleague in Sutton Park ane he taught my 2 boys Physics and Chemistry and helped get them where they are today. Such a multi talented person. He kindly played the organ for us at a family funeral which was so professional. A true gentleman. Our family's sincere condolences to all of his family.
RIP Raymond
Tattersall family

We are all heartbroken on the death of our very dear ,forever friend Raymond , Thanks for a life time of memories , Sincere condolences to Phyllis , David, Geoffrey , Timothy and family