Russell John Sepielli

March 9, 1945 - May 10, 2024

Russell J Sepielli died peacefully on May 10, 2024 surrounded by his wife and three sons. He was born on March 9, 1945 in Niagara Falls, NY. He was the son of James and Beatrice (Rizzo) Sepielli and the beloved husband of Dianne L. (Romano) Sepielli. He was predeceased by his parents, and his brother Jimmy Sepielli. He was the brother of Barbara Sepielli, Patricia Barnum (Tom), Ron Sepielli and brother-in-law of F. Michael (Mickey) Sechio, his buddy.   Russell was the beloved father to Robert (Ali) Sepielli, Jon (JT) Sepielli and stepfather to Michael (Michelle) Manocchio. He loved his role as Papa to his nine grandchildren: Sofia, Sebastian, Jackson, Jordan and Charlie Sepielli and Michael, Anna, Grace and Claire Manocchio.   Russell was a man of great faith and integrity. He was an active communicant at Nativity Catholic Church, sat on the parish council, taught CCD, was an annulment advocate and an Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist. He was also a Knight Commander with Star of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem. He met his wife, Dianne at a prayer meeting in the late 80’s and became “church friends”. He always told the story of how they met and he was struck with a thunderbolt!  They finally married in 1992 and had an incredibly blessed life, filled with much happiness, many friends, a loving family and a shared faith that permeated throughout their lives together.   Russell graduated from South Broward High School in 1963 and received a BA degree from the University of Miami in 1968. He taught psychology at McArthur High School for two years after graduation then went into the family business at DuRite Engineering. He was vice president of that business for 20 years. He later worked at All-Rite Paving until his retirement.    He loved traveling with his wife and exploring different countries but his favorite was always Italy, (the Motherland) which he and Dianne traveled to many times. He enjoyed his retirement, especially the time spent at his summer home in the White Mountains of New Hampshire.    He was an avid reader and active with activities that included hiking, snow skiing, boating, scuba diving, tennis and his Miami Hurricanes.   In 2023, he wrote and had published a book entitled “Riding With History”. He was thrilled to receive so many rave reviews on his book, not only from his family and friends but from total strangers as well.   He was blessed to receive Anointing of the Sick and Holy Communion less than 12 hours before he passed away to be with Our Lord and Savior. Thank you, Father Robert Ayala, our dear friend and pastor.   Russell will be greatly missed by all who knew him.   Viewing will be on Wednesday, May 15 ^th 2024 from 6:00-9:00 PM at Landmark Funeral Home, 4200 Hollywood Boulevard. Hollywood, FL 33021.   Mass of Christian Burial will be on Thursday, 11:00 AM at Nativity Catholic Church, 5200 Johnson Street, Hollywood Florida 33021 followed by Entombment at Hollywood Memorial Gardens.   In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Nativity Catholic Church.