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Russell Kenneth
Dunning

December 25, 1946 – August 1, 2018

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Russell Dunning
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— Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home

Obituary for Russell Kenneth Dunning

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NEWTON, MA – Russell K. Dunning, 71, a beloved husband, father, brother, colleague, friend, and champion of justice died unexpectedly on Wednesday, August 1, 2018.

Russ was born in Lowell, Massachusetts, the oldest of four children of Raymond and Claire Burton Dunning. Growing up in Tyngsborough, he graduated from Lowell High School, before earning a B.A. in 1968 from Boston University and a J.D. from BU Law in 1971. Determined and hard-working, Russ put himself through school by building houses.

He began his law career working for Greater Boston Legal Services (GBLS), specializing in juvenile defense and law reform. He later moved on to private practice, working first at Cotter & Dunning, and later with Posternak, Blankstein & Lund in commercial real estate. After retiring from the firm, Russ served as an Access to Justice Fellow at GBLS.

In 1982 Russ married Sallie Follansbee. They lived in Newton near his son Bryan and with their daughter Claire. Russ had a special place in his heart for the coast of Maine and cherished time with family at their summer home in Tenants Harbor. Always generous with his time and talent, he freely shared his legal advice, tools, or pickup truck with anyone who asked.

Predeceased by his parents; Russ will be forever missed by his wife, Sallie; his children, Bryan Dunning and his wife Cheryl of East Freetown, MA, Claire Dunning and her husband Zachary Dorner of Hyattsville, MD; his siblings Brian Dunning and his wife Anne, Dennis Dunning and his wife Kathy, Connie Dunning; his in-laws Laurie and Dick Mobilio, Helen and Bill Nicita, the late Todd Follansbee; three grandchildren, Ashley Crepeau, Chelsea Crepeau, Brett Dunning; as well as aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and a large and loving extended family.

A service to honor him will be held on Sunday August 12, at 2:00pm at Grace Episcopal Church, 76 Eldredge St., Newton, MA (www.gracenewton.org).

Those who wish may make memorial donations to Greater Boston Legal Services (www.gbls.org) or a charity of your choice in his name.

Arrangements are in the care of Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, Rockland, Maine.

Memorial Service Information

When
Sunday August 12, 2018 2:00pm
Location
Grace Episcopal Church
Address
76 Eldredge Street
Newton, Massachusetts
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