Russell L. Pike, 91, formerly of 179 Monument St, and 22 Phoenix Row, died Wednesday evening, Dec. 10, at Penacook Place.
Born and raised in Haverhill, son of the late Wilbur and Rube (Beane) Pike, he was a member of the Haverhill High School Class of 1943. Pike served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He saw service in the South Pacific aboard the attack transport U.S.S. American Legion and took part in the landing of the First Marine Division during the invasion of Guadalcanal and later the invasion of Okinawa. He also served in the Naval Intelligence Division of the Pentagon during the Korean Conflict. He was a recipient of the World War II Victory Medal, The Asiatic Pacific Theatre Medal with Three Bronze Stars, The American Theatre Medal and the Navy Occupation Medal.
A lifelong resident of Haverhill, Pike was employed 27 years as a layout operator at Western Electric, A T & T Technologies and Lucent Technologies. He was a member of All Saints Parish, the former Saint Rita’s Parish, the Wilbur M. Comeau Post of the American Legion, The Lorraine Post of the VFW, the Knights Of Columbus of All Saint Parish and a Fourth Degree Member of Fr. O’Doherty Assembly.
He enjoyed playing the harmonica and fishing and was a member of the golf league at Crystal Springs Golf Club and a member of local bowling leagues and softball leagues. He also enjoyed the occasional trips to Foxwoods and Rockingham Park and hunting in Vermont.
He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Mary (Gigliotti) Pike, a daughter and son-in-law, Gail D. and William Patriquin, of Atkinson, two grand-daughters, Bethany Tsioropoulos and her husband Dean of Haverhill, and Tiffany Corcoran and her husband James of Haverhill, four grandchildren, Alex and Evan Tsioropoulos and Aidan and Brenna Corcoran, a sister and brother-in-law Judi and Paul Miller of Rochester, N.H., a brother in-law and his wife, James and Marnie Gigliotti of Pennsylvania, and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
Relatives and friends may call on Sunday, Dec. 14, from 2 to 5 p.m. at Berube-Comeau Funeral home, 47 Broadway, Haverhill. His funeral will be Monday at 10:30 a.m. from the funeral home with a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:30 in All Saints Church, Haverhill. Burial will follow in Saint Patrick’s Cemetery.
Donations in Mr. Pike’s name may be made to the Veteran’s Northeast Outreach Center, 10 Reed St., Haverhill, MA 01830, or to Saint Jude’s Childrens’ Hospital, 501 Saint Jude Place, Memphis, Tenn.