Russell Flagg

Russell Edward Flagg, 90, died peacefully at South County Hospital, Wakefield, Rhode Island after a brief illness. His wife Holley was at his side. Russell was born on October 31, 1935, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, a Halloween birthday he always delighted in. He had a happy childhood during the World War II years, when Pittsburgh buzzed with wartime industry and purpose. His artistic talent was recognized early; in fourth grade he was selected to attend Saturday art classes at the Carnegie Museum's Young Artists Program. Creativity remained a constant thread throughout his life. In 1948, his family moved to Miami, Florida.

After graduating from Miami Edison High School, Russell attended Syracuse University, where he majored in journalism and earned his BA in 1957. Following four years of ROTC, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army and deployed to South Korea shortly after the Korean War. After completing his military service, Russell returned to Pittsburgh and joined Alcoa Aluminum in its advertising and marketing department. In 1973, he founded his own trade show management company, Flagg Management, in New York City.

He met Holley Wall in New York in 1968, and after a whirlwind courtship they married, a partnership that continued for 58 years. After many happy summers in Narragansett, Rhode Island, they made it their full-time home in 2022. Russell was truly a Renaissance man. His love of travel took him around the world and nurtured his passion for photography, in which he earned awards and recognition. He maintained a lifelong commitment to drawing and painting and explored other artistic mediums. In retirement, he wrote three books reflecting on his life: Kidnapping in Pittsburgh, about his childhood; Korea After the War, about his military service; and Wizards Behind the Curtain, about his business career. He was widely read, curious, and always eager to learn. Beyond his creative pursuits, Russell enjoyed opera, ballet, golf, bowling, and bridge. He was a familiar presence at Point Judith Country Club, where he played golf with friends, children and grandchildren casually and in club tournaments as recently as last summer. He loved spending sunny days at The Dunes Club in Narragansett where he delighted in conversation and was often seen on the dance floor. He lived actively until the end, guided by his favorite saying: "To rest is to rust." Above all, Russell loved people.

He had a gift for making others feel valued, and he was loved in return by the many whose lives he touched. Russell is survived by his wife Holley; his sons Alex and Ted Flagg; his daughter-in-law Karen Flagg; his grandchildren James, Bobby, Jackson, and Audrey, his cat Lulu; and many friends. He will be remembered with affection and respect by all who knew him.

Gifts may be made to South County Health Foundation in memory of Russell Flagg to support patient care at South County Hospital.