Russell Dana Wellman, 80, passed away Dec. 22 at Maine Medical Center in Portland, following a brief illness, with his loving family at his side.
He was born April 6, 1927, in Waldoboro, a son of Alfred and Edna Preble Wellman. He attended Waldoboro schools and at the age of 17, enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served as an aviation machinist mate where he prepared planes for flight and as a gunner on a PB4Y Privateer during WWII. He was a patriotic man who was proud to have served his country in the military.
After returning from the war, he was employed for over 20 years by Abbotoni Trucking and later worked for several years at Pen Bay Transport, before failing health forced him to retire.
Russell enjoyed taking flying lessons, which continued on into his love for mastering the art of operating radio-controlled planes. He also had a great love for war movies, especially those involving fights from the sky.
Russell loved being on, in or near the water. He is fondly remembered by his family and friends as “Polly Wog.” He used to swim at the quarry in Waldoboro where he loved to dive from the ledges. He loved attending the lobster boat races with his son-in-law, Raymond, and eating any kind of seafood, whenever he could. He enjoyed his time at Pemaquid Lake and Duck Puddle Pond where he fished with his son, Larry. He enjoyed riding his motorcycle in earlier years and would drive a “little too fast” to get a reaction from his passenger, Karen, while his son, Dana rode along side on his bike.
He enjoyed gambling with his companion, Alberta, at Foxwood’s and playing Bingo locally. He loved getting together with his family at family gatherings where he was know to his grandchildren as “Grampy Plane.”
He was a member of the American Legion Charles C. Lilly Post #149, Waldoboro, the Model Air Plane Club in Wiscasset, and the Wiscasset Senior Citizens.
He was predeceased by his companion, Alberta Titcomb in 2007; brother, Alfred “Buck” Wellman; and sister, Ruth Wellman McGuire.
Survivors include his children, Robert Wellman and wife Shirlene of Norridgewalk, Bruce Wellman of Texas, Dana Wellman and wife Christine of Turner, Linda Wellman Miller of Rockland, Nancy Carter and husband Raymond of Waldoboro, Karen Wellman and fiancé Henry Schmidt of Brunswick, Larry Wellman and wife Kim of Waldoboro, and Diana Winchenbach and husband Thomas of Friendship; Alberta’s four children; 34 grandchildren; 32 great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
Visiting hours 6-8 p.m., Fri., Dec. 28 at Hall Funeral Home, 949 Main St., Waldoboro.
Celebration of his life 10 a.m., Sat., Dec. 29 at Hall Funeral Home with Pastor Tom Rawley officiating.
Burial will be held at Greenlawn Cemetery in Wiscasset in the spring.
Arrangements are entrusted to Hall Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Waldoboro.