Protodeacon Keith S. Russin, 70, fell asleep in the Lord here on Thursday, October 26, 2017. He was attached in retirement to the Monastery Church of Saint Tikhon of Zadonsk, South Canaan, PA.
Born February 19, 1947 in Plains, PA, the son of the late Simon S. Russin II and Anna [Stranko] Russin, Protodeacon Keith was a graduate of Wyoming Seminary, Wilkes University and the Pratt Institute, where he earned a Master of Library Science degree. In 1971, he graduated from Saint Vladimir’s Seminary, from which he received a Master of Divinity degree. His M. Div. thesis was widely appreciated as the first in depth study of the life and ministry of Father [now Saint] Alexis Toth. An article based on his thesis, “Father Alexis G. Toth and the Wilkes-Barre Litigations,” was published in Saint Vladimir’s Theological Quarterly (vol. 16, no. 3 [1972]: 128–149). For many years, he worked as librarian at the Meriden Public Library, Meriden, CT, and also sang in the choir of Saints Peter and Paul Church in the same city. In 1987 he was ordained to the diaconate by His Grace, Bishop Job of New England in Cumberland, RI. The same year, he graduated from the American Academy of Mortuary Science, New York, NY, and returned to Plains to join the Simon S. Russin Funeral Home. He served at Holy Resurrection Cathedral, Wilkes-Barre, PA for many years in addition to operating the Simon S. Russin Funeral Home, Plains, and the Edwards and Russin Funeral Home, Edwardsville, PA. He brought comfort to those who mourned and faith to those who doubted. He was elevated to the rank of Protodeacon in 1995 and awarded the right to wear the kamilavka in 2000.
Protodeacon Kieth is survived by two sisters, Julianne [David] Vaughan and Dr. Mary S. Russin; one brother, Simon S. Russin III; and many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews. Another brother, Harry S. Russin, preceded him in death.
Visitation will be held at the Simon S. Russin Funeral Home, 136 Maffett Street, Plains, PA from 3:00 until 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 1. The Funeral Service will be celebrated at Holy Resurrection Cathedral, Wilkes-Barre, PA at 7:00 p.m. that evening. The Divine Liturgy will be celebrated at the cathedral at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, November 2. Interment will follow at Fern Knoll Burial Park, Dallas, PA.
May Protodeacon Keith’s memory be eternal!