Middletown Democrats Extend Sympathies to Families of Passed Party Leaders

The Middletown Democratic Town Committee is once again saddened with the passing of another former chairperson within the last three months. In December, sitting Chairperson David Lavine passed away and most recently former Chairperson Joseph Russo also passed.

Both of these men were advocates, public servants, Democrats and supporters of partisan government.  Although different in many ways, they both shared a passion for politics at both the state and local levels. They both devoted the greater portion of their lives to their passion, having served as elected public officials, as well as our Middletown Democratic Town chairperson. I will always remember Chairperson Lavine’s and Chairperson Russo’s beaming smiles and outgoing personalities.

I was fortunate to have known both of these men. Chairman Lavine who relocated to Middletown after a stellar career in Connecticut politics, immediately jumped into local politics where he quickly made his mark.

Chairperson Russo, who was a corner stone of the Democratic Party in Middletown, also devoted the greater part of his life to politics. Joe served as a member of the Middletown Town Council and as our Democratic Chairperson for a number of years.

More personally, Joe was an important part of my life for more than forty-five years. When I first met Joe, he was our chairperson and I was just a young teenager. Joe became a close personal friend and a person that I turned to many times for advice, both professionally and personally. Joe was a trusted confidant and one of my biggest political supporters. Everyone who knew Joe referred to him as a friend and as a person who could always be counted on.

On behalf of the entire Middletown Democratic Town Committee, our deepest sympathies go out to both their families. We will surround ourselves with their memories and my promise to them is that I will carry on their devotion to the Democratic Party.

Sincerely,

Chairperson
Middletown Democratic Town Committee