South Windsor Obituary: James Russo, Jr., 77

James A. “Whitey” Russo, Jr., 77, of Broad Brook and formerly of South Windsor, passed away peacefully on Monday, July 16, 2018 at St. Francis Hospital.

Born in Hartford, the son of the late James and Anna (Mandziuk) Russo, Sr., he grew up and lived in Hartford and South Windsor before moving to Broad Brook eight years ago. He was the founder and owner of Whitey’s Towing in Hartford and had been in business for over 41 years. He was previously a director of Russo Brothers Inc.

Jim was a past president of the Towing & Recovery Professionals of Connecticut. He enjoyed collecting watch fobs and liked classic Corvettes. Jim was proud of his Hess truck collection, and his Jim Beam collection. He loved having a good time and was a frequent patron of the Blackboard Café and referred to it as his “home away from home.” He liked animals and spending time in Vermont.

Jim is survived by his children, Anne-Margaret Klavins and her husband Andrew, James Russo III, Ronald Russo and his wife Tracie, Ronda Russo, Suzy Morsbach and her husband Gregory, and Rachel Russo; his nephew who was like a son, Robert Russo; several grandchildren; two siblings, Peter Russo, and Roseann Russo Cary and her husband Willard; his sister-in-law Dolores Russo, and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by two brothers, Gennaro and Joseph Russo, a nephew James Cary, and his cousin and “partner in crime” Francis Russo.

His family will receive friends for calling hours on Thursday, July 19, 2018 from 4 - 7 p.m. at the Samsel & Carmon Funeral Home, 419 Buckland Road, South Windsor. Graveside services will be held on Friday, July 20th, at 11 a.m. at Mount Saint Benedict Cemetery, Bloomfield.

Memorial donations in his memory may be made to St. Francis Foundation, 8-1 Inpatient Oncology, 95 Woodland Street, 2nd Floor, Hartford, CT 06105.

For online condolences and guest book, please visit www.carmonfuneralhome.com.