Contributions to the tribute of Anthony L. Russian

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Denise Russian posted a symbolic gesture

Wednesday, January 27, 2021

Due to the Covid we will be unable to celebrate Anthony life like we would of liked to of had. So we Invite all his family and friends to release a balloon, at your convenience on March 7th 2021. Please take a picture of either the balloon (write a message if you would like too) and yourself and please share it on his Facebook page or email to me at deniserussian@gmail.com. We will be creating a video with all pictures and uploading it to share with everyone. The reason we picked this date is because it will be his birthday.

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pcollinsz@hotmail.com Posted Mar 9, 2021 at 4:08 PM

Patrick misses him so much. He said he wanted to watch a Flyers game at the place in Pennsville where they ate on Tuesdays. So we are going there tonight to celebrate his birthday.

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Lorie Schmidt posted a condolence

Saturday, January 2, 2021

I always enjoyed seeing and talking to Anthony at his aunt Bunny’s bbq. He was always fun and nice to be around. He will be missed

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Dan Krumm posted a symbolic gesture

Friday, January 1, 2021

I met Anthony for the first time at the Pennsville Babe Ruth field. He had made our team. I was his coach for one year. It was our first practice of the new year and I went around asking each player that I did not know personally what their baseball experience was before joining Babe Ruth. Most of the kids I knew because I met them when I was helping coach in Little League from tee ball to the majors. When I ask Anthony about his little league experience he told me this was his first try at playing baseball. I ask why he decided to try out for Babe Ruth at this time. He said he though it was a good time to start and he wanted to meet new people. I told him he had a lot of catching up and he had to work hard to get better. I was thinking to myself the kid had a lot of guts and I would try to help him as much as I could to become a better baseball player. A side note he show up with a first baseman’s mitt. He wasn’t going to be playing first base. Babe Ruth is when they started wearing steel spikes. Getting ready to play high school. He had a brand new pair on and was ready to go. Well I knew Ant was going to be my personal challenge. As is the practice I would tell the guys to buddy up and we would start warming our arms up. We had an uneven amount of kids and I wanted to pair Ant up with me so I could evaluate what he could do and what I should not do with him with very little baseball experience. Well I found out very quickly that he was going to need a lot of work and why he had a first baseman’s mitt. He did not know how to catch safely and was not Babe Ruth level thrower. But the kid wanted to be part of the team and he showed up every practice and gave it his best. He was very funny and likable kid and got along well with his teammates and coaches. The rules of Babe Ruth stated he had to play two innings in the field and get at least one at bat. I was real worried that he might get hurt while playing and I told him so. He told me not to worry he would be ok. While working with him he got better at catching and throwing but still was not going to be our first baseman. So it was right field for him. Batting practice was another hurdle to overcome. He never saw a fastball let alone a curveball. He started out on a tee and started to get the hang of batting. When live batting practice started I had tennis balls I would throw at him from half way under handed. Then he progressed to live pitching. I had to give it to him because he stood in there and took his swings and took a few hits to the body also. But he did not give up. He kept everyone laughing on the team with his wit and humor. He also had a talent that he showed me and the team before opening day. He could take his feet and turn them around so they were pointing backwards facing his butt. The kids on the team were like no way and I said he has a talent that he could use sometime during his turn at bat. Well after a few games of him not being able to get a hit or a walk, he was a free spirit and a free swinger. It came time to use his talent. So when he went to bat the next game I called him over and told him when he stepped into the batters box he should turn his feet around and not swing at any pitch. He did and the opposing team and pitcher almost fell over laughing. Needless to say the first pitch went sailing over his head and he just barely got out of the way. He got up dusted himself off, got back in the box with feet pointing backwards and took 4 straight balls. He was one happy young boy. Never been on first base so he was not sure of what to do. So I had to call time out and walk over to first base and have a chat with him. Told him to not take a lead but he had to go to second if the ball was hit. Which he did on the next pitch. safety sliding into the bag. I yelled over to him great job. Now he had to score. Well the very next pitch was hit to the fence and I started yelling at him to come to third and waving him home. He made it and score his first run ever. The whole team came out of the dugout to congratulate him. He had the biggest smile on his face and I was proud of him. I never forget that day and I am sure he didn’t either. It was his persistence and sprite that I admire the most. RIP Ant.

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Barbara Bradway Posted Jan 2, 2021 at 5:19 AM

My heart is broken I still can't believe this like it's all a dream Anthony your going to be missed so much I remember when I met you you came into the Deepwater diner back in 2002 where I worked and you and your friends became my reg. You were just grad. School and from then we became friends I'm going to miss you man. Rest easy Ant until we meet again. My heart and prayers go out to you Mr. Russian so sorry for the loss.

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The family of Anthony L. Russian uploaded a photo

Friday, January 1, 2021

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Ross Famiily posted a condolence

Friday, January 1, 2021

Anthony was in Marching Band with our son. We are shocked and saddened to hear of his passing....much too young. So sorry for your loss. He was always kind and always made us laugh.....

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Jim Ludlamtr5H posted a condolence

Thursday, December 31, 2020

I’m so sorry to hear this news. Anthony was a good friend. He was kind hearted, a fine teacher and an outstanding musician. His kindness and gifts are gone too soon.

Anthony L. Russian

1986 - 2020

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