AUBURN – Russell D. Akerley passed away at his family’s farm in Auburn on Jan. 30, 2023 while surrounded by his wife and five children. He was born on Aug. 13, 1939 to Basil MacFarlane Akerley and Helen May (Gibb) Akerley.

Russell was educated in Auburn and after leaving high school relocated to the greater Boston, Mass. area where he trained to work on Mercedes-Benz transmissions. He worked in the auto transmission repair industry for decades until was hired by L.L.Bean to work in their flagship store in Freeport. After many years of employment with L.L.Bean in the Hunting and Fishing Department, he retired so he and his wife Connie could settle in Carrabassett Valley, a place he dearly loved with over 60 years of fun and enjoyment in the outdoors with his family and friends.

He enjoyed racing motocross, skiing, car racing, and attending Grand Prix auto races in Canada and hunting trips with his close family and friends. He especially enjoyed off the grid fishing adventures with his special friend, George Soule, who he met while working at L.L.Bean. He loved social gatherings. He was quick witted and possessed a great sense of humor and always had a joke to share. He was a jack of many trades and there wasn’t anything he couldn’t build or fix or any problem he couldn’t solve. Even in his declining years he was sought out for his wisdom on how to repair anything with engine or moving parts.

Family meant everything to him. Russell was so very proud of his children and all of their accomplishments. He would hug and kiss his family whenever he saw them and would make a point to tell them how much he loved them. He will be deeply missed.

He is survived by the love of his life, his wife of 61 years, Constance Ann (Lucas) Akerley; and his five children, Jeffrey Akerley and his wife Lisa Dumais of Winthrop, Sean Akerley and his wife Crystal Landrie of Ludlow, Mass., Kimberly Dumais and her husband Joseph of Auburn, Trevor Akerely and his husband Lawrence L’Italien of Boston, Mass. and Shae Inglin and her husband Kevin Inglin of San Francisco, Calif.; his grandchildren, Lukas and Elijah Akerley, Holden Akerley, Autumn and Alexis Haggerty, Mikayla Akerley, Victor and Cadance Dumais, and Kellum and Keifer Inglin; as well has two great-granddaughters, Layla Ann Cyr and Natalia Akerley.

He is also survived by his brothers Leland Akerley and his wife Pat of Saco, Kendall (Duffy) Akerley of Bar Harbor, David Akerley and his partner Lynn Sheloske of Lewiston, and his sister Susan Akerley-Dickenson and her husband Ray of Stetson, in addition to many other extended family members.

He was predeceased by his parents; brothers Gerald and Gard Akerley; and his grandson Kristopher Akerley.

The family would like to thank the staff at St. Mary’s d’Youville Pavilion and Androscoggin Hospice Care as well as Kevin Lynch and the employees at Pinette Dillingham & Lynch Funeral Home for their great care and support.

Online condolences and sharing of memories may be expressed at http://www.lynchbrothers.com

The family will hold a private gathering with immediate family.

Arrangements by Pinette Dillingham & Lynch Funeral Home Lewiston, 784-4023.