LECANTO, Fla. — Russell S. Pray, 83, of Inverness, Fla., formerly of Paris passed away peacefully Tuesday, Feb. 7, at the Hospice House of Citrus.

Born Feb. 1, 1934, in Boston, Mass., he was the son of Charlmer and Marie Aurore Bernier and Gertrude Pray.

On Feb. 5, 1954, he married Ethel Herrick in Mechanic Falls where they raised their five children, later moving to Paris, and then retiring to Inverness, Fla.

He worked many years at Marcal Paper in Mechanic Falls and then Porteous in Auburn until he retired.

He is survived by children and spouses, Dale and Jane of Inverness, Fla., Julie and Kent Boston of Poland, Joline Paladino of Durham, Dana and Carolyn of Norway, and Dean and Kim of Oxford; brother, Mark; sisters, Marlene and Gene Keene, Priscilla and Joe Pobe, Paula and John Doyle, Jane and Charles Marshall; brothers-in-law, James Herrick and Bill Stevens; sister-in-law, Rita Pray; 12 grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren.

Besides parents and wife, he was predeceased by son-in-law, Dennis Paladino; brothers, Charlmer and Isabelle and Fred; sisters, Rose Marie and Daniel Poland and Jackie and Ray Laramee; and many nephews and nieces.