Russell Spears was an American

United States

The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...

 stonemason and Narragansett tribal elder

Elder (administrative title)

The term Elder is used in several different countries and organizations to indicate a position of authority...

. Spears continued the stonemasonry which has been practiced by the Narragansett since the 17th century. He was well known for his stonemasonry

Stonemasonry

The craft of stonemasonry has existed since the dawn of civilization - creating buildings, structures, and sculpture using stone from the earth. These materials have been used to construct many of the long-lasting, ancient monuments, artifacts, cathedrals, and cities in a wide variety of cultures...

 throughout New England

New England

New England is a region in the northeastern corner of the United States consisting of the six states of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut...

, which included handcrafted fireplaces, stone walls and patio

Patio

A patio is an outdoor space generally used for dining or recreation that adjoins a residence and is typically paved. It may refer to a roofless inner courtyard of the sort found in Spanish-style dwellings or a paved area between a residence and a garden....

s.

Personal life

Spears was born in Providence, Rhode Island

Providence, Rhode Island

Providence is the capital and most populous city of Rhode Island and was one of the first cities established in the United States. Located in Providence County, it is the third largest city in the New England region...

. His hobbies included playing the guitar, hunting deer, playing the piano and singing ballads. He often wore Native American jewelry

Native American jewelry

Native American jewelry is the personal adornment, often in the forms of necklaces, earrings, bracelets, rings, pins, brooches, labrets, and more, made by the Indigenous peoples of the United States. Native American jewelry reflects the cultural diversity and history of its makers...

 and cowboy hat

Cowboy hat

The cowboy hat is a high-crowned, wide-brimmed hat best known as the defining piece of attire for the North American cowboy. Today it is worn by many people, and is particularly associated with ranch workers in the western and southern United States, western Canada and northern Mexico, with...

s.

Career

Spears initially worked at the Kenyon Piece Dye Works, but disliked working inside and told the owner he woould look elsewhere for work. Most of his uncles and other relatives worked as stonemasons. He quickly learned the craft from his relatives.

Spears constructed stone structures throughout Connecticut

Connecticut

Connecticut is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States. It is bordered by Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, and the state of New York to the west and the south .Connecticut is named for the Connecticut River, the major U.S. river that approximately...

, Rhode Island

Rhode Island

The state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, more commonly referred to as Rhode Island , is a state in the New England region of the United States. It is the smallest U.S. state by area...

, and Massachusetts

Massachusetts

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...

' Cape Cod

Cape Cod

Cape Cod, often referred to locally as simply the Cape, is a cape in the easternmost portion of the state of Massachusetts, in the Northeastern United States...

 throughout his long career, which spanned decades. Spears often added artistic elements to his creations, including etched images and other artistic details. His work was featured on the documentary

Documentary

A documentary is a creative work of non-fiction, including:* Documentary film, including television* Radio documentary* Documentary photographyRelated terms include:...

 Stories in Stone, which aired on PBS. He also taught his sons to carve and shape rocks and stones, thus continuing the family and Narragansett traditions.

Later life

Spears' house burned down in 2008, forcing him to move into his son's home. A fundraising drive was underway when Spears fell ill.

Russell Spears died on March 9, 2009, at South County Hospital in Wakefield, Rhode Island

Wakefield, Rhode Island

Wakefield is a village in the town of South Kingstown, Rhode Island, and the commercial center of the town. Together with the village of Peace Dale, it is treated by the U.S. Census as a component of the census designated place identified as Wakefield-Peacedale, Rhode Island. South Kingston was...

, at the age of 92. His wife, Grace Babcock (Brown) Spears, had predeceased him. The couple were the parents of twelve children: the late Russell G. Spears Jr., the late Lance P. Spears, Robin S. Spears, Craig B. Spears, Forrest C. Spears, Lake G. Spears, Diana S. Mars, Holly K. Harris, Starr L. Mars, Melody B. Amado, Autumn Leaf Spears and Sky L. Spears.