Clifford W

Russell, Jr.

Clifford William Russell Jr., age 56, a volunteer firefighter, and union stagehand, tragically passed away on September 16, 2020 in his home in Cliffside Park New Jersey while surrounded by friends and family. He courageously fought a long, 9 month battle with Bile Duct cancer that came as a result of his selfless service as a first responder at ground zero following the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001.

Cliff was born on May 8, 1964 at Holy Name Hospital in Teaneck, New Jersey. Clifford spent the majority of his life living in the Cliffside and Fairview area where he was an admired member of the community he lived in and protected.

Cliff is Preceded in death by his father, Clifford William Russsell Sr.

Cliff is survived by his mother, Joan Russell, his Fiance Donna D'Aponte,  his three children, Andrew Russell,  Ashley Brueck and Melissa Russell; his sisters Jacqueline, Maureen, and Nancy, and his two granddaughters, Jenna Moody and Aria Brueck.

Cliff was a beloved father to his children and cherished friend to so many who had the pleasure to know him. Cliff was as much of a people person as someone could be, being able to strike up a conversation with anybody about anything and making a new friend in the process. Cliff was a spiritual man who was strong in his faith, often spending breaks from his stagehand work in New York City at the local church where he would pray for the health and safety of those that he loved as well as all people.

Cliff was a 28 year veteran volunteer firefighter in Fairview, NJ, spending many years protecting and assisting the community as well as building a strong brotherhood with his fellow firemen. Being the hero that he was, Clifford did not hesitate when the twin towers fell and was on the first engine going over to New York City in order to help save lives in the recovery effort.

Cliff was also a Local One union member working as a stagehand and spotlight operator many years on Broadway shows like Rent and Spiderman. Over the last decade he had been working as a stagehand for WNET where he built a strong bond as part of the WNET family. Cliff was loved by all of those he worked with at WNET for his compassion, dedication, and empathy.

The family will be holding viewings on Monday, September 21, 2020 from the periods of 2PM-4PM in the afternoon as well as 7PM-9PM in the evening with a funeral service planned for the following morning on Tuesday, September 22, 2020 at Our Lady of Grace Church in Fairview, NJ at 9:30AM