Tom Russell Retirement Cribbage Board

Some people leave a workplace when they retire.
Others leave a presence.

This retirement cribbage board was created to honor Tom Russell’s career, the people he served beside, and the moments that defined a life spent showing up for others.

Thomas Russell served as a paramedic with Stewart’s Ambulance Service, retiring on February 12, 2026. His career was defined not only by the calls he ran, but by the way he showed up for the people beside him — shift after shift, year after year.

For Tom, this retirement cribbage board represents more than a game — it reflects the rhythm of the job, the crew, and the moments in between calls. It was a ritual — a way to decompress after difficult calls, to connect with his crew, and to bring moments of normalcy into a profession that rarely offers either. Around the table, rank faded, conversation flowed, and the focus shifted — if only briefly — from the weight of the job to the people doing it together.

As Tom began thinking about retirement, the idea formed to honor that tradition in a way that felt lasting and personal.

This board was designed specifically for him.

The scale was intentionally larger than a standard cribbage board, reflecting the impact of Tom’s service. Red oak was chosen for its strength and permanence — a wood that carries presence and ages with dignity. At the center, the card cavity was shaped into the Stewart’s Ambulance Service shield, not as decoration, but as identity — a symbol of the organization and the profession Tom dedicated his career to.

The circular layout was chosen deliberately. There is no top or bottom, no head of the table. Everyone around it is equal — just as they were during those quiet moments between calls when the cards came out and the day slowed down.

On the underside of the board, a smooth, finished surface was created to serve a single purpose: to hold the signatures of the people who worked alongside Tom. No messages were added — only names — allowing as many coworkers as possible to leave their mark and be part of the piece.

The custom deck of cards was created with the same care. The face of the cards carries a message and a photograph of Tom and his wife — a deliberate acknowledgment that careers in emergency medicine are never carried alone. While retirements often focus on the individual, the families of paramedics quietly absorb missed holidays, anniversaries, birthdays, and countless moments spent waiting. Including her was a way to honor that shared sacrifice and recognize the support that made Tom’s career possible.

This piece was created as a thank-you — from coworkers, from leadership, and from a crew that understood what cribbage meant to Tom, and what Tom meant to them.

May this board continue to gather people, spark conversation, and carry forward the spirit of connection that defined his years as a paramedic at Stewart’s.

If you’re looking to create a retirement gift or something meaningful for someone who’s given years of their life to others, explore what I build or start a project and let’s build something that reflects their story.