Vincent "Vinnie" Russell passed away the morning of November 20 at his home in Palm Springs, the city that had been his home for the past nine years. He was 65 years old, lived with HIV for 30 years, and had suffered a series of health problems in recent years.
Vinnie was born in Brooklyn, New York, moved to San Francisco in the 1970s, and remained in California for the rest of his life.
A dedicated gay activist, Vinnie was among the rioters outside the Stonewall Inn and 20 years later led the contingent marking the anniversary of the riots during the SF Gay Parade. During the 1980s and 1990s he was dedicated to helping AIDS-related causes and spent countless hours raising funds for San Francisco General Hospital Wards 5B and 86 and the AIDS Emergency Fund. In 1988 he started the weekly bingo game to benefit Coming Home Hospice and was heavily involved with the AEF Christmas Eve Dinners. He was a tireless and generous caregiver for PWAs and though he struggled with addiction he found sobriety in the rooms of AA.
Vinnie was a member of the Barbary Coasters M/C and the SF Ducal Court system; he gained the title of Grand Duchess IX in 1981.
Vinnie was preceded in death by his lovers Joe Crossfield and Michael Jones and innumerable friends and pet dogs. He is survived by his brother Roy and sister-in-law Karen, his caregiver Suzy and by the many people whose lives he touched. His golden heart, wicked humor, and infectious laugh will be greatly missed.
According to his wishes his ashes will be scattered over the San Francisco Bay and a celebration of his life is planned for January 2012. For details contact Andrew Korniej at (415) 609-0255. Donations may be made in his name to the Desert AIDS Project of Palm Springs.