Groveland and Newburyport - Russell "Russ" Leland Seidel of Groveland, Massachusetts and previously Newburyport, Massachusetts, passed away on February 23, 2026 in Newburyport after a brief illness.

He was born on July 24, 1946 in Brooklyn, New York.

A True Original, Russ always aspired to live above all an interesting life – and he succeeded. From his days at NYU and in Greenwich Village in the mid-1960s, to his later years as a self-taught visual digital artist and guitarist who won art prizes despite no formal training, he confidently and, at times, stubbornly blazed his own path rather than following the herd. He proudly posted his digital art on Flickr under the moniker "Rusty Russ", and you can see his work at https://www.flickr.com/photos/rseidel/ [flickr.com]. He was also tremendously generous with his sense of wisdom and perspective, sharing this as a gift with many in his life, especially during hard times.

He often said his proudest accomplishment in life was his loving marriage of 36 years to his wife Kathleen, who passed in 2019. His love and devotion to her, and their children Andy and Shannon, was unmatched. He built a career in government property management, working for Textron for 25 years and building a life in his beloved Newburyport where he reveled in bike rides to the Plum Island Reservation, art shows at the Newburyport Art Association, and membership in the First Religious Society Unitarian Universalist church. A lover of dogs, he carried fond memories of Muffin, Buttercup, and Kiwi, and in his last years shared a special bond with his "granddog" Cheddar.

Russell is survived by his son Andy and wife Ana of Danvers; daughter Shannon of Saint Charles, MO; his sister Nancy Seidel Garrett and husband Vern of Amherst; his brother Michael Seidel and wife Judy of White House Station, NJ; his sister Grace Seidel of Seattle, WA; and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, neighbors, and dear friends – including Frederic Hite and wife Sharon of Ipswich, MA, whom he shared a friendship with for 60 years. He was predeceased by his wife, Kathleen Dawn Seidel.

Russ' wishes were for a celebration of life that included guitar music, art, connection, good food, and cold beer. In accordance with those wishes, the family will host a Celebration of Life at the Newburyport Art Association on Saturday, March 14, 2026 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. While he insisted he wanted people to wear "jeans and t-shirts", we simply ask that you come however you are comfortable for the occasion. The Twomey, LeBlanc, & Conte Funeral Home 193 High St. Newburyport, MA 01950 is assisting Mr. Seidel's family with his arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Russell's name to The Jimmy Fund online at https://www.jimmyfund.org/ [jimmyfund.org].

To offer online condolences please visit www.tlcfuneralhome.com