Obituary: Pasquale Russo, Jr., 97, of Branford, longtime of Guilford

Obituary courtesy of Guilford Funeral Home:

Wednesday, May 18, 2022 Pasquale Russo, Jr. longtime resident of Guilford and most recently of Branford passed away at Cedar Woods of Branford. Husband of the late Marilyn Anne (Ward) Russo. Mr. Russo was born in New Haven, CT on March 10, 1925, son of the late Pasquale Russo and Antoinette (Basilicato) Russo.

Loving father of Linda C. Zink of NM ,MSG Pasquale James Russo USA (Ret) of GA, Donna Fenn of Branford, Brig Gen. Mark A. Russo USA (Ret) of Guilford, Michael V. Russo of FL, Martha Russo of Guilford and Matthew P. Russo of Killingworth. Also survived by three stepchildren, Pamela Walz of NC, Deborah Rhodes of NC and Jonathan Graham of ME. He is also survived by thirteen grandchildren, nineteen great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild. Brother of Anthony (Jane) Russo, and Joseph Russo all of Guilford and Angela (Carmen) Vegliante of Cheshire. Predeceased by five brothers, Andrew, Vincent, Stephen, Robert and Richard and two sisters, Anna Maria (Mary) Dohm and Rose DeVeau.

Pasquale and his family moved to Guilford when he was nine years old. He grew up and worked on the family farm on Nut Plains Road in Guilford CT. He was a graduate of Guilford High School, Class of 1943, where he served as class president, Captain of the basketball team and member of the football team. He achieved second place in the country for the National Achievement Test completed during World War II.

Before retirement, Mr. Russo was an accomplished stone and brick mason, he owned and operated Stonegate Builders. He enjoyed Sunday drives, gardening, singing, bocce, UCONN Girls Basketball and spending time with his family. He was previous President of the Shoreline Italian American Club and enjoyed the Guilford Senior Center. Pat loved nature and enjoyed walks with his dog to the lake behind his home as a young boy. He was affectionately known to many as "Patsy" and he had great sense of humor.

Friends are invited to calling hours on Tuesday, May 24 from 4 – 8 p.m. at the Guilford Funeral Home, 115 Church St, Guilford. Mass of Christian Burial at St. George Church, 33 Whitfield St, Guilford on Wednesday, May 25 at 1 p.m. Burial will follow in Alder Brook Cemetery, 375 Boston St, Guilford.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The VFW-Edward A Norton Post # 7666, PO Box 173, Guilford, CT 06437; http://www.guilfordvfw.com/