Plaistow, NH: Russell L. Sargent 82, a resident of Plaistow for most of his life, died, January 1, 2017 at Merrimack Valley Hospital in Haverhill, after being stricken at his home.

Born in Haverhill, Massachusetts, son of the late Lewis and Avis (Sargent) Sargent, he was raised and educated in Plaistow. He attended the Pollard School and graduated the former Haverhill Trade School with the Class of 1954.

Mr. Sargent retired in 1998 as the Head Fleet Mechanic for Atlas News of Shrewsbury, and had previously been employed at MacKinnon and Son International Truck Sales and Service of Lawrence, Andover Tractor Co. and Merrimack News Distributors.

A longtime member of the First Baptist Church, where he served on the Property Committee, he was also a Life Member and past member of the Board of Directors of the Plaistow Fish and Game Club, and a former member of the Plaistow Volunteer Emergency Corps. He also served as a driver and mechanic for the Plaistow Fire Department for thirty-three years and was a Past President and Life Member of the Plaistow Firemen's Association.

An avid Red Sox and New England Patriots fan, Mr. Sargent also enjoyed woodworking, bird watching and feeding, bowling, hunting, fishing, archery, boating and photography. He spent many hours as a member of the pit crew of his son's stock car racing team at the former Pines Speedway in Groveland, and also devoted time to making candles through R & M Candle Co. He was known by his family and friends as a man always running to get somewhere.

He will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by his wife of sixty-one years, Mary A. "Marcia" (Sychevsky) Sargent, a son and daughter-in-law, David R. and Cherie Sargent of Plaistow, two daughters and sons-in-law, Janis E. and Alan Cheney of , Pembroke, NH, and Nancy G. and Paul O'Regan of Bedford, NH, a brother Edward Sargent of Chester, NH and a sister and brother-in-law, Carolyn and Roger Steer of Plaistow, also six grandchildren, David Sargent, Jr, Amanda Sargent, James "Jake" Cheney, Dalton Cheney, Kelly O'Regan and Cameron O'Regan, three great grandchildren,  Alexandra, Arianna and Allida, and several nieces and nephews.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend Mr. Sargent's Life Celebration to be held on Thursday, January 5, 2017 from 4 to 8 p.m. at Brookside Chapel & Funeral Home, 116 Main St., Plaistow. His funeral will take place on Friday, January 6, 2017 at 10:30 a.m. in First Baptist Church, Main St., Plaistow. Burial will follow in Plaistow Cemetery. In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorial donations be made to: Plaistow Fish and Game Club, 18 Mayray Ave., Plasitow, NH, Plaistow Firemen's Association, 27 Elm St., Plaistow, NH, or First Baptist Church of Plaistow, 122 Main St., Plaistow, NH. To send a message of condolence to the family or to find directions to our home, please visit www.brooksidechapelfh.com