- Date Of Birth: November 16, 1940
- Date Of Death: March 14, 2014
- State: Connecticut
Russell David Tong, 73, of Middletown, beloved husband of Marie (Gendron) Tong, passed away on Friday, March 14th at Arden Court in Farmington. Born in Bristol, he was the son of the late David and Jean (Tibbitts) Tong. Russell graduated from Farmington High School, Class of 1958 and graduated UCONN, Class of 1963 with a Bachelor of Science Civil Engineering and was a member of the ROTC and National Guard. Russell worked for James P. Purcell Associates in Newington in 1962 changing to CE Maguire, Inc in New Britain in 1963 and then working for CT Dept. of Public Works as Assistant Administrator Design & Construction. In 1995, he moved to NJ and took a job with New Jersey Department of Transportation as Assistant Commissioner and State Transportation Engineer and from there moving to Middletown in 2000 taking his last job with Vollmer Associates as Director of Engineering. Russell was professionally active in organizations in MA, CT, and NJ, currently Board Member and Secretary; ACEC CT and leadership positions on key committees such as UCONN Curriculum Committee; Chair of Program Committee. He was awarded Government Engineer of the Year ASCE New Jersey and recognized by American Bridge Construction & Design as Engineer of the year. Russell was also a member of the Wetlands Committee and Commissioner; Water and Sewer Authority, both in Middletown, CT. In his spare time, Russell was an avid fisherman, hunter, gardener, and photographer. Along with his wife, he is survived by his son, David Tong of Florida Keys; his daughter, Donna Farr of Barkhamsted; four sisters, Carol Bukowski of Enfield, Ruth Toohey of Edwards, NY, Kathy Fisher of East Granby and Sally Sevetz of Canton; two grandchildren, Connor Farr and Dylan Farr and several nieces and nephews.
