Franklin Russo
June 27, 1938 — March 10, 2010
Franklin Delano Russo, beloved husband of Mary Margaret Schulte Russo; father of Christopher F. Russo and Jessica M. Bonanno; father-in-law of Alicia D. Russo; and proud grandfather of Anthony F. Bonanno and Roziley L. Russo, passed away on March 10, 2010 at 4:33 PM at his home in Stamford.
Frank was born in Stamford, CT on June 27, 1938 to the late Filomena Mattera Russo of Ischia, Italy and Celestino Russo of Foggia, Italy. He graduated from Stamford High School in 1956 and later attended J. M. Wright Technical School. He was a plumber/pipe fitter for 40 years having worked for various contractors, primarily for Alvah D. Jessup Plumbing and W.R. Johnson Plumbing.
Frank served in the U. S. Army where he was honorably discharged on December 31, 1968. He had the distinct honor and privilege to be chosen as an honor guard for the funeral of President John F. Kennedy in 1963, where he participated in the 21 gun salute.
Frank was a hard working Italian-American that was proud of his heritage. He always put his family and friends first. He had a never ending supply of jokes to tell everyone. He had a playful and charming demeanor, but was the last person you wanted to cross. He was a huge New York Yankee fan, grew prized tomato plants, and was an excellent fisherman… up and down the east coast to the Florida Keys. In 1978 he caught a record setting 60 pound striped bass in Long Island Sound.
Growing up he was an extremely talented baseball player with tremendous speed, hitting ability and an arm like a cannon. He dedicated most of his spare time to teaching his son and daughter the game at a very young age. His timeless efforts and participation paved the way for his two children, Christopher and Jessica, to earn scholarships to play division one college hockey and volleyball respectively. Despite working full time, Frank almost never missed a game. He was a true family man and his devotion to his loved ones will never be forgotten.
In addition to his wife, children and grandchildren, Frank is survived by; his sister Eva Russo Elliott; his brothers Peter Russo and his wife Margaret, Angelo Russo and his wife Lorraine, Fred Russo, and George Russo and his wife Joanne; brothers-in-law Carl Schulte and wife Margie, James Schulte and his wife Cathy, and Edward Schulte and his wife Cindy; as well as many, much loved, nieces and nephews and wonderful true friends. Besides his parents, he was predeceased by his eldest brother, Michael Russo.
A Funeral Procession will leave the Nicholas F. Cognetta Funeral Home & Crematory, 104 Myrtle Avenue, Stamford, CT 06902 at 9:30AM on Saturday, March 13, 2010 for a Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at 10:00 AM at St. Mary’s R.C. Church, 566 Elm Street, Stamford. Interment will follow at Queen of Peace R.C. Cemetery, Rockrimmon Road, Stamford. Friends may call at the Funeral Home on Friday, March 12, 2010 from 4:00-8:00PM.
Donations in Frank’s honor may be sent to Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, or Visiting Nurse and Hospice Care of Southwestern Connecticut, 1266 East Main Street, Stamford, CT 06902.
Frank was born in Stamford, CT on June 27, 1938 to the late Filomena Mattera Russo of Ischia, Italy and Celestino Russo of Foggia, Italy. He graduated from Stamford High School in 1956 and later attended J. M. Wright Technical School. He was a plumber/pipe fitter for 40 years having worked for various contractors, primarily for Alvah D. Jessup Plumbing and W.R. Johnson Plumbing.
Frank served in the U. S. Army where he was honorably discharged on December 31, 1968. He had the distinct honor and privilege to be chosen as an honor guard for the funeral of President John F. Kennedy in 1963, where he participated in the 21 gun salute.
Frank was a hard working Italian-American that was proud of his heritage. He always put his family and friends first. He had a never ending supply of jokes to tell everyone. He had a playful and charming demeanor, but was the last person you wanted to cross. He was a huge New York Yankee fan, grew prized tomato plants, and was an excellent fisherman… up and down the east coast to the Florida Keys. In 1978 he caught a record setting 60 pound striped bass in Long Island Sound.
Growing up he was an extremely talented baseball player with tremendous speed, hitting ability and an arm like a cannon. He dedicated most of his spare time to teaching his son and daughter the game at a very young age. His timeless efforts and participation paved the way for his two children, Christopher and Jessica, to earn scholarships to play division one college hockey and volleyball respectively. Despite working full time, Frank almost never missed a game. He was a true family man and his devotion to his loved ones will never be forgotten.
In addition to his wife, children and grandchildren, Frank is survived by; his sister Eva Russo Elliott; his brothers Peter Russo and his wife Margaret, Angelo Russo and his wife Lorraine, Fred Russo, and George Russo and his wife Joanne; brothers-in-law Carl Schulte and wife Margie, James Schulte and his wife Cathy, and Edward Schulte and his wife Cindy; as well as many, much loved, nieces and nephews and wonderful true friends. Besides his parents, he was predeceased by his eldest brother, Michael Russo.
A Funeral Procession will leave the Nicholas F. Cognetta Funeral Home & Crematory, 104 Myrtle Avenue, Stamford, CT 06902 at 9:30AM on Saturday, March 13, 2010 for a Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at 10:00 AM at St. Mary’s R.C. Church, 566 Elm Street, Stamford. Interment will follow at Queen of Peace R.C. Cemetery, Rockrimmon Road, Stamford. Friends may call at the Funeral Home on Friday, March 12, 2010 from 4:00-8:00PM.
Donations in Frank’s honor may be sent to Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, or Visiting Nurse and Hospice Care of Southwestern Connecticut, 1266 East Main Street, Stamford, CT 06902.
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