Russell Ragovin

Russell Ragovin, God’s beloved child, took his final breath on earth at the age of 77 on Wednesday evening, July 12, 2023, at his home in Gainesville, Florida, and crossed over the threshold into eternity into the arms of God. Even though he struggled with multiple overlapping health issues, his death was sudden and unexpected. The son of Albert and Mary (Basara) Ragovin, Russ was born on April 26, 1946, in New York City and grew up in Milmay, in rural southern New Jersey, helping his family on their egg producing chicken farm. Weekends were often spent in New York City, where his father worked as a pressman for the New York Times. Russ and his younger sister Eileen attended the last remaining two-room elementary school house in the state. He graduated from Vineland High School, going on to receive an undergraduate degree in business and philosophy from Ottawa University, a Master of Philosophy degree from Drew University in the philosophy of religion, and a Master of Divinity degree from Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary. He put himself through school by working in a variety of jobs including as an adjunct professor teaching philosophy, in the insurance industry, as a driving instructor, chauffeur, and youth counselor. Following his pastoral internship in Woodbury, NJ, and ordination with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the southwest region, he served churches in Texas, Tennessee, California, Illinois, and Kentucky. He embodied his Jewish heritage with being a follower of Jesus with integrity and pride. He loved preaching, teaching, and was a true pastor to his flocks, working with an extraordinary generosity of spirit

until he was 74. More than anything Russ loved his family. He and Ruth Richardson met while both were graduate students at Drew University and they married in a private ceremony on August 15, 1985. Since he hated cold weather, they did not return to her home in Canada but spent their almost 39 years of marriage in various places in the United States with a number of lengthy stays in Berlin (both before and after the wall came down). They supported each other in ministry. They had many opportunities to travel and explore the world. His love for his daughter Rachel and grandchildren Eliana and Isaac was fierce and he was so proud of all of them. Perhaps the greatest gift he ever received was being able to spend the last nine months of his life living only five minutes away from them, enjoying their frequent visits and constant laughter. Russ began each day and every sermon with a joke and always had a twinkle in his eye. His essence could be summarized by the single word of “kindness.”

Russ is survived by his wife, the Rev. Dr. Ruth Ragovin; daughter Rachel Ragovin; grandchildren Eliana and Isaac Benton-Ragovin; mother-in-law Dorothy Richardson; father-in-law Herbert Richardson; brothers- and sisters-in-law Nick Guarino, John Richardson, Sarah Richardson; nephew Adam Guarino and his wife Cindy. Russ was predeceased by his parents Albert and Mary Ragovin; sister Eileen Guarino; and daughter Jennifer.

A private natural burial service was held at the Prairie Creek Conservation Cemetery near Gainesville, Florida on July 17, 2023.

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