Russell C. Paris, 80; on Westminster’s Council

Russell C. Paris, who rose from Westminster planning commissioner to city councilman in 2000, has died of cancer. He was 80.

Paris died Tuesday at his home in Westminster.

“He was great to work with -- a very loyal man who put his community before all else,” said fellow Councilman Andy Quach. “A lot of the projects in Westminster would not have happened without Russ.”

Born Dec. 6, 1925, in Buffalo, N.Y., Paris spent 41 years in the Army, fighting in World War II and the Korean War before retiring as a colonel. He then went into the insurance business, becoming the owner of a company and teaching risk management at Orange Coast College.

Paris served for 16 years as a city planning commissioner and in other positions before being appointed to the Westminster City Council in 2000 to replace Margie Rice, who had become mayor. He was elected to a full term in 2002, and had recently told friends he planned to seek re-election when the term ended in November.

“He was still attending council meetings up until a month ago,” said Councilman Frank Fry, a longtime friend. “He would come, then leave early and we’d talk to him by phone” to keep him informed about city business.

Fry said Paris was instrumental in creating the city’s well-known Vietnam War Memorial as well as the Rose Center, a performing arts venue being built near City Hall.

Paris had been diagnosed with cancer about a year ago, friends said.

“You could always count on Russ to be objective and treat everyone fairly,” Quach said. “He was very down to earth and compassionate.”

Paris is survived by his wife of 56 years, Helen; six children; nine grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Funeral plans are pending.