Russ was born in Taunton and grew up in Acushnet, Massachusetts. Son of the late  Herman and the late Clara Morse, he spent 4 years in the U.S. Navy and served aboard the aircraft carrier, U.S.S. Mindoro.  After he was discharged he worked for Pratt & Whitney Aircraft retiring in 1991. He also drove Special Education transportation for the Town of Berlin for 10 years. He was the Sexton at the Kensington United Methodist Church from 1991 until 2004. Over the years he was chairperson of the Berlin Fair Committee for the church and cooked Bar-B-Que Chicken for more than 30 years, and also held many different positions on church committees.  Russ is married to his wife Betty, has 4 children, 9 grandchildren, and 1 great-grandchild.