Russell L. Cheek, 60, of Eatontown NJ, formerly of New York City, passed peacefully on July 11th, 2022 at Jersey Shore University Medical Center with loved ones by his side.

Russell was born to Millicent and John Cheek of Bellmore, NY where he attended Holy Trinity High School and spent summers boating with family and working at Jones Beach. After graduating from the Fashion Institute of Technology, Russell moved to New York City and began his long and successful career in Public Relations, working for several major international firms before co-founding RCM Broadcast Communications in 1996 with his dear friend, Marie Mascola.

While at the helm of RCM, he worked on many high-profile corporate campaigns for clients including eBay, Novartis, Sanofi and most recently Dermavant Sciences, building tremendous relationships with his clients and delivering impressive results with his enormously creative and talented mind.

In recent years, Russell relocated to the beaches of New Jersey, where he was embraced by a large and welcoming sober community to which he was so dedicated. He considered his sobriety his greatest achievement and worked tirelessly as a mentor and housing supervisor for Phoenix Recovery LLC, an organization dedicated to providing safe, structured drug and alcohol-free living options for those in recovery from addiction.

When not at work, Russell could be found playing a round of golf with dear friends or relaxing on the beaches of Montauk, Fire Island, and most recently, the Jersey Shore.

Russell was extremely charismatic, engaging, and approachable. He will be remembered for his quick-witted humor, kindness, and generous spirit – and for always living life to the fullest even after his cancer diagnosis earlier this year.

Russell is survived by his dear sister Janis and her husband Dr. Philip Heller of Colts Neck, NJ; brother John Cheek and wife Debbie of Caledonia, NY; nephews Chris Heller and wife Molly of Washington, DC; Andy Heller of Bend, OR; and niece Nicole Mayfield, her husband John and their son Noah of Oakland, TN. He was preceded in death by his brother Gary Cheek of Nashville TN.

Russell will also be greatly missed by a large extended family and MANY dear friends and colleagues. He will be especially missed by his beloved Goddaughter Samantha Moore of Allendale, NJ, who he had a deep affection for.

A Memorial Gathering will be held on Wednesday, August 3rd, from 4 – 8 pm with a service at 7 pm at the Holmdel Funeral Home, 26 South Holmdel Road, Holmdel, NJ.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Russell’s name can be made to:

Phoenix Recovery LLC

c/o The Phoenix Recovery Scholarship Fund
18 Willow Avenue
Eatontown, NJ 07724
For: “The Russell Cheek Memorial Scholarship”