South Plainfield - Russell E. Teller, 63, passed away in the early morning hours of Friday, February 12, 2021 at JFK Medical Center in Edison with his loving wife by his side.
Russell was born in Mt. Olive, North Carolina and grew up in Plainfield prior to settling in South Plainfield in 1987.
He worked at Watchung Hills Regional High School as the Foreman of Building and Grounds for 25 years, retiring in 2013 and currently Russell was working as the Director of Facilities at St. Joseph's High School in Metuchen.
A devoted husband, father, and poppy, Russell worked tirelessly to provide for his family. One of his most genuine qualities his family will miss most is how often he put the needs of others before his own. In addition to spending time with his family, Russ also enjoyed taking trips down to Atlantic City, swimming in the family pool, doing yard work, taking the top off the Jeep, traveling down south and taking nature walks with his granddaughters.
Predeceased by his parents, Elizabeth and Adrian Teller; brother, Walter Holmes; and mother in law, Rose Marie Santacross, Russ is survived by his loving wife, Donna Teller; daughter, Toni Teller (Vlad Kalik); sons, Joseph Teller (Karylanne) and Russell Teller Jr. (Allison Gorman), all of South Plainfield; brothers, Andrew Teller (Gerri) of West Trenton; Bud Holmes of VA; Keith Westbrook, and Arnold Flowers both of NC; and grandchildren, Adelaide and Eleanor. Russell is also survived by the Crumpler Family as well as numerous nieces, nephews, sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, and many extended relatives and dear friends
You were my Dad’s “Best friend”..💙 The “Son” my Mother never had. 💙 You were Lauren’s “Godfather” and a “Big Brother” to Janine and I .. You were one of the “Best”and will always be missed. We love you 😘
Janine HildebrandtPerfectly said, there are people in your life that are placed there for reason. Russ will always be one of them.
I miss him warm smile, hugs and reassuring grin where he knew what I was thinking by just shaking his head, "I know Je"
You will never be forgotten, I love you fat boy xoxo
LC
Lisa Christensen125w
Favorite brother in law ❤️
I have so many memories with Russ!!! I was 5 yrs old when he first started dating my sister!!! Russ bought my first bicycle first rabbit One of many of my cars🚗 He even taught me how to drive!! He was not only my brother-in-law, but a father figure always!! I have so many wonderful memories with Russell Our family vacations!!! Parties at their house!!! And Christmas!!! Whatever I need it me and my kids he was always there. No questions asked I miss him terribly I know he is resting and with everybody else that we lost, dear to us, There will never ever be another Russell!!!! ❤️❤️❤️❤️🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏
Have many memories of this wonderful man, a genuine good person, down to earth and solid family man…. My favorite memory was sitting in a hospital waiting for our granddaughter Addie to arrive, they wives were in with Annie so we got this special moment to ourselves… can never forget how overcome with joy he was when our little princess finally arrived— my little number 9 was his number 1!! There was never a doubt how great a grandfather he was going to be… love you Russ, miss you tremendously.. happy heavenly Father’s Day ✝️❤️🙏
When I was in 6th grade, around 2007. Mr. Teller was one of the parent chaperones for our class trip to Stokes. I was assigned under him. It was a 3 day, 2 night trip. We had cabins in the woods. The cabins had 2 sections. Most of the kids slept in 1 side. I however, slept on the other side with 1 student, and 2 parents. Different beds of course. Mr. Teller was there. When it was close to bed time, I looked Mr. Teller dead in the face, 100% serious, and asked him “Mr. Teller, can I sleep naked?” His response, not immediate, but with a face of surprise and disbelief was, “I don’t give a F**k what you do, stay the f**k away from me.” By the way, this was my first time ever meeting Mr Teller. Me not thinking this was an unusual question, I forgot about it by the next day. Mr. Teller never forgot. It wasn’t until a few years ago he reminded me of the story and I had a flashback to that moment and couldn’t believe I asked him that. I was completely embarrassed. Nonetheless, it’s a great story, and he made sure it was known to everyone.
🥃 “Over the lips, past the gums, watch out stomach, here it comes!”
Poppy’s chats with his girls
