John E. Russell II

On April 30, 2017, John Russell of Baltimore was taken from us suddenly when he collapsed riding his bicycle with his beloved wife, Katie Vaselkiv.

As a longtime bicycle enthusiast and employee at Race Pace Bicycles, John had just helped open a new location in Towson, which he was to manage.

A 2007 graduate of Towson High School, John was elected President of his senior class, and was also founder of a ska music band.

A graduate of Wheaton College in Chicago with a degree in Environmental Studies, John's love of life was apparent to all who knew him, always willing to help those in need.

While in college, John worked one-on-one with children with autism to help them reach their full potential. John’s faith in Christ was at the center of his life and was a founding member of a Saint Moses church in Remington, where he shared his love of music by leading worship. He was a volunteer mentor with Young Life in Baltimore City. John and his wife Katie have been strong advocates for Baltimore youth and refugees. Orthodox in the most unorthodox ways, John redefined the word "unique." He will be deeply missed by his family, friends and those he touched.

John is survived by his wife Katie Vaselkiv, parents Curt and Sally Russell, brother and sister-in-law Bill and Lauren Russell, brother and sister-in-law Tom and Emily Russell, sister Peggy Russell, sister Kate Russell, father-in-law and mother-in-law Mark and Kathy Vaselkiv, brother-in-law Matt Vaselkiv, brother-in-law Peter Vaselkiv and many more cousins, aunts, uncles and friends.

Visiting hours for family and friends will be held at Central Presbyterian Church in Towson on Friday, May 5, from 3 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. A memorial service will be held at Central Presbyterian Church on Saturday, May 6, at 11 a.m. A celebration of John Russell’s life will be held at Race Pace Bicycles, 1414 Key Highway, Baltimore, MD 21230 on Saturday, May 6, at 6 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations in John’s memory can be made to the Refugee Youth Project or Baltimore City Young Life.

— Obituary and service information from Ruck Funeral Home