MASSENA/GOUVERNEUR – Russell "Rusty" L. Abrantes, age 78, of Massena and formerly of Gouverneur, passed away on January 26, 2026 at Canton-Potsdam Hospital.

There will be no service at this time. Arrangements are with French Funeral Home in Gouverneur. Condolences may be shared online at www.frenchfuneralhomes.com.

Rusty was born on November 28, 1947 in Washington DC to the late Delia Abrantes who later married Robert Crotts. Rusty graduated from Gouverneur High School in 1966 and worked for St. Joe Mineral Corporation as a miner and pipe fitter for around ten years before his career at General Motors as a pipe fitter and C.A.C. for over 25 years. After the GM plant in Massena closed, Rusty worked in the maintenance department of Alcoa until his retirement in 2015.

He married Joan M. Fuller on September 27, 1969 at the age of 21. The couple have been together for 60 years and married for 57 years. Rusty loved spending time with his granddaughters. He also enjoyed going to the casino to play craps, going fishing, maintaining his pool, bowling, riding his motorcycle, and playing softball. He also enjoyed watching football, was a Cowboys fan, and was a muscle car enthusiast, having owned a 1969 Dodge Dart.

Rusty is survived by his wife, Joan Abrantes, his son, Shawn Abrantes, granddaughters, Joey and Kelsey Abrantes, their mother Christine Abrantes, a brother, Jerry Abrantes, and several nieces and nephews.

He is predeceased by his mother and step-dad, Delia and Robert Crotts, grandparents, Katherine Tarbell and Antonio Abrantes, and brothers, Ronald "Butch", Jim, and Howard Abrantes.

Donations in memory of Rusty may be made to the American Heart Association