Colin Stiles Russell

"You-you alone will have the stars as no one else has them...In one of the stars I shall be living. In one of them, I shall be laughing. And so, it will be as if all the stars were laughing when you look at the sky at night. You - only you - will have stars that can laugh.”                                                                                                                                                                                                 ― Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, El Principito

Colin Stiles Russell passed away with his loving parents by his side on Monday, July 14, 2025. He was born at Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital on December 26, 1979, to David Russell and Barbara Kittredge-Russell. Being born so close to Christmas, we always made sure to celebrate his birthday separately from the holiday. His favorite cake was apple crisp. He would ask for it before the holiday to make sure I didn't forget.

Colin was born 11 years after his brother, Todd, and 8 years after his sister, Tori. Needless to say, he was pampered, adored, and very spoiled. My favorite memory was watching him in his Johnny Jump Up. We knew we had a daredevil from the start. He was full of energy every single day.

He was raised in St. Johnsbury and attended the St. Johnsbury School system and St. Johnsbury Academy, where he was a member of the class of 1998. Because we lived next door to the Adams School, Colin had unlimited access to the playground where he played endlessly. It was also a benefit for us because we could see him from our deck. He and his dog, Whiskey, had a love-hate relationship. Colin would tease, and Whiskey would nip. Timeout would find Colin with his blanket, his thumb and Whiskey asleep on the sofa. That is a vivid image that will never go away. He loved anything with wheels or a track. Since his dad sold four-wheelers, of course, Colin had his own, which he rode for hours in the backyard.

Colin was a bright and loving child whose life changed drastically when, at the age of 15, he was introduced to heroin. That started a trip that he was never able to stop. We spent the next thirty years watching him battle and struggle to overcome this demon. Sadly, the demon won. In March 2025, he developed Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome - Pulmonary Fibrosis. He fought to get better, but the damage to his lungs was too significant. We never imagined that he would go so quickly, but he chose to have only comfort care. His loss is almost too much to bear. We will love him forever.

Colin is survived by his son, Cameron Russell; his parents, David Russell and Barbara Kittredge-Russell; his brother, Todd Russell; his niece, Addison Russell; his sister and sister-in-law, Tori and Bevin Gariepy-Russell; and his aunts and uncles, Sandra and Rick Coons, and Bill and Debbie Kittredge; Peter Russell; Bill Russell; and his dearest love and best friend, Sam Shattuck. 

Services will be held at Sayles Funeral Home on 525 Summer Street, St. Johnsbury, on Sunday, July 20, 2025, from 1 pm to 3 pm. Visitation will be followed by a Service of Remembrance. All are invited to share memories of Colin.

Condolences may be shared with the family at CaledoniaLifeServices.com

Donations in memory of Colin Stiles Russell may be made to the following organizations. Caledonia Home Health and Hospice, Sherman Drive, St. Johnsbury, Vt. 05819; Kingdom Recovery Center, 297 Summer Street, St Johnsbury, VT 05819; BAART Programs, 1097 Hospital Dr, St Johnsbury, VT 05819