If one were only familiar with the late Robert Russell through the production of Reggae Sumfest, the many tributes from his inner circle which flow at the thanksgiving service for his life and legacy would prove you only knew a small part of him.

Remembering his soft and magnetic persona, the late businessman was described by many as a gentle giant who had the ability to turn any project into a masterpiece.

“He lived his life without apology and certainly marched to his own drum… Robert was the spark and sparkle of our family. He loved to dance and was always ready for a good time,” his sister, Elizabeth Williams, recalled in her tribute, a perspective almost everyone shared as they remembered they affectionate “Russ” as an individual who lived life to the fullest, even in the midst of illness.

“Before he died, he had the virus that was going around and we took him to Hospiten. They said they were going to put him on IV… We checked Russ in on the Wednesday and then on Thursday I get a call from Russ at about 5 o’clock and he says ‘Are you going to the prime minister thing this evening?’ I said yes. He says: ‘Ill see you there,” his son, Robin Russell shared.

“The night is finished, and at about 11:00 o’clock I’m going home and he says to me, “You need to drop me back at the hospital,” which elicited laughter from the attendees.

That incident, however, prompted the family to reach out to a psychiatrist as they feared Russell was ‘going crazy’. The psychiatrist, after speaking with the family, offered her support to them instead of Russell as she decided they were the ones with the issue, as she believed Russell was simply living his life.

“That was my father. The only way he knew how to live was being big and bold. He only knew one speed and that was full speed,” the younger Russell continued.

His voice cracking as he fought back tears, Josef Bogdanovich, chairman of Downsound Entertainment, organisers of Reggae Sumfest, described Russell as a friend. He shared that he knew Russell would become an important figure in his life the moment he closed the deal to acquire Reggae Sumfest in 2016.

“My friend. You know how I knew he was my friend? He was a closer. It was Robert who closed the deal with Reggae Sumfest back in 2016. And you know how he did that? He gave me a deal that I couldn’t refuse,” he said. “We were friends right up to the last time I spoke to him at his hospital bed that night before he died. It was an eerie feeling, but nice. It was special and I knew it. It was as if he was waiting for me so we could say goodbye to one another in silence. A pleasant vibe. No long talking, just a pleasant goodbye to friendship and to this world.”

Johnny Gourzong, admitting that he is still trying to process the passing of his life-long friend, said he and Russell bonded on bird shooting excursions and the friendship grew over their mutual love for the entertainment industry.

“In February of 1993 I was invited by Mickie Morris to be a part of a group that would eventually become Reggae Sumfest. Ducksie (Russell) was regarded by me as the fireman. If we came upon a major problem that seemed insurmountable, the fireman would get to work to remedy the situation,” Gourzong shared.

Russell, who died on December 11, 2024, was part of an eight-member team known as Summerfest Productions that staged the inaugural Reggae Sumfest in Montego Bay in 1993.

Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett also spoke of his impeccable work ethic.

“Ducksie was a visionary Jamaican entrepreneur who blazed a trail from Kingston to Mandeville, and then finally to Montego Bay,” he said, highlighting Russell’s many business ventures including a hotel and casino. “He acquired a plot of coastal land in Montego Bay and transformed it into Pier One, a renowned waterfront restaurant and entertainment venue that has significantly impacted the city’s landscape.”

“Russell’s resilience and entrepreneurial spirit serves as inspiration for aspiring Jamaican entrepreneurs,” the Minister continued. “Ducksie is what I would describe as many people in one person. Ducksie was easy to get along with. He understood the power of speaking truth peacefully, and had a unique ability to make everyone feel valued. He never sought to dominate a conversation, instead, he was a master listener.”

Russell, who is survived by his wife Beverley, five children, grandchildren, a brother, and sister was laid to rest following a memorial service on Wednesday, January 8 at the Montego Bay Conventional Centre. The service was attended by countless government officials and high-ranking members of the entertainment industry as well as a host of artistes. There were musical tributes from Chris Martin and Gramps Morgan among others.