Russell F. Lover

West Springfield - Russell �Russ� Lover, 78, passed away Monday, March 28, 2016, at home surrounded by his loving family. Born in Springfield, December 29, 1937, he was the son of the late Russell and Rae (Miller) Lover. He worked as a Conrail Police Officer for over 30 years and as a West Springfield Auxiliary Police Officer for many years. Russ attended West Springfield High School where he excelled at football and was a Coast Guard Veteran during the Vietnam Era. He was a member of the American Legion Post 124 in Westfield, the Massachusetts Police Association and the �Deadline Gang�. Russ was an avid Patriots and NASCAR fan and he enjoyed family gatherings and was often the life of the party with his sharp sense of humor. He leaves his wife, Patricia (DeVoie) Lover; his loving children, Sue Hakenson and her husband Rusty, Cheryll and her partner Paul and Robert and his wife Linda all of West Springfield. He also leaves his beloved grandchildren, Justin, Kristen, Ryan and Erin; his great-grandchildren, Shalyn and Clara; his loving sister, Betty Mulligan of Chicopee and brothers, Timothy and David Duval of New Hampshire as well as many nieces and nephews and his former wife, Eileen Lover of West Springfield. A Funeral Home Service will be held Monday at 1:00PM at the Toomey-O�Brien Funeral Home, 1043 Westfield St., West Springfield. Visitation will precede the service from 11:30AM-1:00PM. The burial will be private and at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Baystate VNA and Hospice, 280 Chestnut St., Floor 6, Springfield, MA. 01199-1000.