Russell E "Rusty" Woods Jr Portland- Russell E "Rusty" Woods Jr, 78, died unexpectedly April 20, 2025 at Maine Medical Center. He was born on October 11, 1946, at Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta, Georgia, the son of the late Russell E Woods Sr and Mary Houston (née Houston) Woods. After high school he joined the US Navy, and while waiting to be deployed he worked for the Atlanta Fire Department. Whilst stationed in Brunswick, Maine he met and married Jo-Ann Elms. When Russell returned from deployment to the Pacific, they settled in Atlanta, where Russell rejoined the Atlanta Fire Department. Three years later they moved back to Maine, with their two daughters, where they settled in Portland and Russell joined the Portland Fire Department, retiring over 30 years later as a Lieutenant. Russell was a Past Master of Cornerstone Lodge #216 AF & AM, a past Worthy Patron of the Cornerstone Order of the Eastern Star, a member of the Kora Shriners, and a member of the North Deering Congregational Church. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by a brother, Donald, and a nephew Tazio. Surviving, in addition to his wife Jo-Ann Elms Woods, are his daughters Melinda S Friday (née Woods) and her husband Matthew, of Portland; and Mori-Ann Woods LeFevre (née Woods) and her husband Carl (CJ) LeFevre and their daughters Lindsey and Logan; His sister Toni Hix (née Woods) and her husband Pat and their children Kelley and Kyle. There will be no services per Rusty's wishes. The family asks that you honor him by sharing a dad joke, a memory, or simply spreading kindness.