CAMDEN — Russell Lowell Madore, 93, died early June 15, 2013, at Maine General Medical Center in Augusta, after an extended illness.

Born in Portage Lake Aug. 6, 1919, he was the middle child of 12 children of Arthur and Jesse Fox Madore. At an early age he moved with his family to Pittsfield, where he attended local schools.

For several years, Russ worked at various jobs in the Pittsfield area, including serving four years with the Conservation Corps.

Feb. 24, 1941, he enlisted in the United States Army. After basic training he served four years in the Asiatic and Pacific Theaters, with Battery B of the 152nd Field Artillery Battalion.

Following his discharge from active duty Aug. 23, 1945, Russ returned to Maine. He worked several years in the shoe industry as a shop foreman with Sandler's Shoe of Boston at their Harmony manufacturing facility.

On Oct. 25, 1945, he married Muriel Ruth Downs. The Madore's made their home in Pittsfield until 1950, and lived one year in Skowhegan. They next moved to Harmony, where they resided until moving to Glen Cove in 1968.

From 1968 to 1979, Russ served in the maintenance department of Glen Cove Christian Schools. He later worked several years in maintenance at the Knox County courthouse in Rockland.

Other than his devotion to his wife and family, for many years Russ has been active in Christian ministry. For 11 years, he was an active member of Harmony Baptist Church in Harmony, where he taught the boys' Sunday school class and for many years was a member of First Baptist Church of Rockland. He served at First Baptist as a deacon, building committee member and trustee. Most recently, he was a member and enjoyed fellowship at Cornerstone Baptist Church in Camden. He was a longtime member of the Lee–Doncet Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9955 in Pittsfield and a life member of the Disabled American Veterans.

In earlier years, he enjoyed hunting and fishing. He loved music and particularly enjoyed Handel's Messiah.

Pre-deceased by all his siblings, Russ is survived by his wife, Muriel, of 67 years; two daughters and their husbands, Deborah I. and Paul Jackson of South Thomaston and Lorelei M. and Randall Searls of Springfield, Mo.; four grandchildren, Justin D. Bari and his wife, Meredith, Lori Jackson Powell and her husband, Nicholas, Brandon R. Bari and his wife, Amy, and Kelly R. Searls; 10 great-grandchildren, Zachary, Abigail, Zinka, Asa, Zander, Dylan, Sabastian, Aliyah, Jayce and Leon; as well as many nieces, nephews and extended family.

A celebration of Russ' home-going will be held Thursday, July 18, at 2 p.m. at Cornerstone Baptist Church, 164 Cobb Road in Camden. The Rev. Timothy Gillam will officiate. Interment will be at a later date in Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery on Mt. Vernon Road in Augusta.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Disabled American Veterans, P.O. Box 3151, Togus, ME, 04330 or Cornerstone Baptist Church, 164 Cobb Road, Camden, ME 04843.

Arrangements are in the care of Burpee, Carpenter and Hutchins Funeral Home in Rockland. To share a memory or condolence with Russ' family, visit his Book of Memories online at Burpee, Carpenter and Hutchins Funeral Home.