FARMINGTON — Carrol “Russ” Russell Kilkenny, 71, a resident of Jay, died Monday, Jan. 28, in Farmington.

Carrol “Russ” Russell Kilkenny the son of the late John Russell Kilkenny and Charlene Sprague Kilkenny Bachelder was born May 22, 1941, on Freeman Ridge. He attended Wilton schools, received his GED through the Army and received an associate’s degree from Jones College in Jacksonville, Fla.

In Maine, he worked at Bass Shoe, Livermore Falls Shoe, as a lumberman and for Livermore Falls Police Department. He served with the U.S. Army Combat Engineers for three years from 1958 to 1962.

He served with the U.S. Navy from 1962 to 1985, retiring as a master chief electrician. Russ served on seven ships and one overseas tour. He was a Navy Recruiter, Training Administrator Naval Training and Reserve Center, Knoxville, Tenn., on staff for Commander Naval Surface Forces Atlantic Fleet. He retired from the Navy in November 1985. He was very proud to have served his country!

He was then employed by the U.S. Navy Civil Service as an engineer from 1985 to 2002. In 2002, Russ retired from Civil Service and returned to Maine. On March 21, 2003, he married his first true love (in 1957), best friend and soul mate, Patricia Spofford of Jay.

Russ was a loving and caring, husband, father, grandfather and friend. He always had a smile for everyone. Russ enjoyed being with his family and celebrating special holidays and birthdays with them, just staying at home, football, especially Florida Gators, music, woodworking, NASCAR, his “Kilkenny Katz” Kas”Purr” and Kaleigh and his Mustang GT.

He is survived by his loving wife, Patty; daughters, Jodie Lynn Southwood of Florida, Charlene Rebecca Montanez and husband, Edward Montanez, of Virginia, Sherri Lynn Couture and husband, Richard Couture and Leigh Ann Brown of Jay; son, Russell Carroll Allen of Lewiston; grandchildren, Russell and Ryan Allen, Garrett Southwood, Leah and Casey Montanez, Cole, Griffin and his special friend, Jennifer Reardon, Max and Casidee Couture, Jacob and Geordan Brown and his special friend, Katie Beaulieu; sister, Sandra Mae Kilkenny Hammond and husband, Walter Hammond, of Rumford; nieces and nephews; a very special cousin, Ina Brainard of Auburn; special friends in Maine, Kermit Greenleaf, Dick Hutchinson, Dr. Paul Wooden and Bob LeFleur; and many friends in Tennessee and Florida.

He was predeceased by his parents, John Russell Kilkenny, Charlene Sprague Kilkenny Bachelder, and stepfather, George Bachelder; his brother, Robert O. Kilkenny; son-in-law, George Brown Jr.; sister-in-law, Virginia Spofford Kittredge; and cousin, Bob Brainerd.

His nurses, doctors and friends in the oncology department and on the third floor at FMH and the office of Dr. Paul Wooden were his second family. He was a very strong and courageous person during his 4+ year illness and was our hero!

“If love could have saved him, he would have lived forever.” “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in him shall not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16.

Messages of condolence may be sent to: www.finleyfuneralhome.com.