Russell Maggs

Russel "Rusty" Joseph Maggs, 76, passed away peacefully surrounded by loved ones on May 2, 2025. Rusty was born on October 30, 1948, in Pittsburgh, PA, to Russel and Alice Maggs and was raised in Arlington, Massachusetts, alongside his 4 siblings. A spirited child, Rusty often shared stories of his mischievous youth, including a famous tale of being suspended from school for fighting.

At just 17 years old, Rusty left high school to proudly serve his country in the United States Navy. He enlisted in November 1965 and joined the elite Sea Bees, spending his two deployments in Vietnam with his Sea Bee unit MCB-8 (Mobile Construction Battalion 8). Rusty carried immense pride for his service, and his time with the Navy was a critical chapter that shaped the man he was.

Following his time in the Navy, Rusty returned to civilian life as a diesel mechanic for Caterpillar. During his career as an over-the-road truck driver, his life took a transformative turn in 1978 when he met the love of his life, Denise, along with her two young children, Bobbette and DJ (Donald), whom he embraced and raised as his own. Rusty and Denise would later marry on June 14, 1980, beginning a beautiful 40-year partnership filled with love, laughter, and, as Rusty often lovingly teased, "bickering" with his favorite person.

Rusty's career was marked by his talent and resilience. After marriage, he joined the Deep Tunnel Project in Chicago as a heavy equipment operator. The family relocated to Arizona in 1985, briefly returning to Illinois but quickly realizing that Congress, Arizona, would forever be home. Rusty joined the Congress Mine as a miner and later worked as a fabricator and heavy equipment operator with Wheeler Machinery before formally retiring in 2014.

Retirement for Rusty didn't exactly mean slowing down. Ever the craftsman and tinkerer, Rusty could often be found building, welding, or riding his tractor. Some projects remained overlooked, including the "damn kitchen" renovation, as Denise often joked, but he always poured his time and heart into projects that mattered to those around him.

Rusty's greatest joy, however, came from spending time with family. Whether sharing stories over coffee+ with friends and family, attending military reunions to honor his SeaBee brothers, or cherishing moments with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Rusty's love for his people was a proud constant in his life.

Rusty is preceded in death by his parents, Joseph Russel Maggs Sr. and Alice Maggs, son DJ (Donald) Maggs, Brother William P. Maggs, Sister Laurie Maggs, Son-in-law Robert Moralez Sr. and wife Denise Maggs. He is survived by his brother Tomas Maggs, sister Mary Jane Maggs, daughters Bobbette Moralez and Michelle Maggs, Son Russel (Rusty) Maggs, seven grandchildren, and ten great-grandchildren. He leaves behind a legacy of hard work, unshakable love for his family, and a fiercely independent spirit that will not be forgotten.

Rusty's life will be celebrated in a memorial service May 16, 2025 at 11 am, at the Congress Catholic church. There will be a private Wake 30 minutes prior for family. Following services there will be a grave-side service at the Congress cemetery.

His parting is not simply a loss but a reminder to live with authenticity, to embrace those you love wholeheartedly, and, in true Rusty fashion, to always find joy in life's simple pleasures.

Rest in peace, Rusty, forever remembered and deeply missed.