DAMARISCOTTA, Maine —Philip Oren Russell, 78, of Bristol, Maine, passed away on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2015.

When Phil was drafted by the Army in 1959, he served at the Waterways Experiment Station lab in Vicksburg, where he met Natalie Letow. Upon his discharge they married, April 29, 1961.

He worked for the U.S. Department of Transportation from 1962 until he retired in 1991,working on highway safety.

He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Natalie (Letow) Russell; daughter Rachel (husbandEric Baker) and grandson Theodore; son Philip K. Russell (wife Abigail) and granddaughters Miranda and Sabrina.

He will be laid to rest at the Bristol Mills Cemetery.

Condolences may be expressed by visiting www.StrongHancock.com.