James Russell, 70, of Cumberland passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family.

He was the husband of Patricia and they were married for 35 years. Besides his wife,  he leaves his children Todd, Eric, Allison, Matthew, and Lindsay.

His greatest joys were his granddaughters Kyle, Cailyn, Emmaline, Brooke, Haidyn and Rylann; and grandsons, Liam and Jack. Jim is survived by his sister, Elizabeth DeSilva; nephew Christopher DeSilva and niece Melissa Corderia.

Born in Providence, he was the son of the late Mary (Holton) Russell and James Russell.

Jim loved entertaining his children and grandchildren with comical stories including working as a teenager at Slater Park Zoo in Pawtucket, RI.  His job: feeding  the animals including the beloved "Fanny the Elephant."

Jim discovered his love of organ music at an early age and played professionally in many Massachusetts and Rhode Island churches from the age of 17. Most recently, he was the organist at Wesley United Methodist Church in Lincoln.

Jim was a Freemason and member of Montgomery Masonic Lodge A.F. & A.M., Milford, Mass. He was so proud to have been a member of this organization and group of people.

A Providence College graduate, he worked as a manufacturing engineer until his retirement in 2017.

A private church service that will include Jim's previously recorded music will be held.