Mr. Anthony J. (Tony) Russo

Published 11:27 am Thursday, March 12, 2020

Mr. Anthony J. (Tony) Russo

March 10, 2020

Mr. Anthony J. (Tony) Russo, age 90, passed away on Tuesday, March 10, 2020, at his home in Cairo, Georgia.  A funeral mass will be held at 12 noon, Saturday, March 14, at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church. Father Godfred Boachie-Yiadom will officiate.  The family will receive friends one hour before the service, beginning at 11.  The interment will follow at Forest Lawn Cemetery, with military honors.  Michael Russo, Eric Lehman, Phil Lehman, Ronald Hagner, Taylor Russo, and Marcus Burk will serve as pallbearers.

Anthony Joseph Russo was born February 18, 1930 in Brooklyn, New York.  His parents, Ralph Russo and Antoinette DeMarco Russo, have preceded him in death.  He graduated from St. Francis Prep School.  Tony proudly served in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict.  On June 6, 1953 he married the love of his life, Marilyn Elizabeth Hagner Russo.  Mr. Russo worked for many years as a security guard with Cross Armored Car Company.  Later he worked security delivering jewelry and diamonds in the diamond district of New York City.  After retirement and moving south, Tony loved to go to Gretna, Florida and play Texas Holdem.  A member of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, he loved to serve by taking care of the kitchen.  His other enjoyment was grocery shopping with his coupons. Tony deeply loved his family.  Anthony Russo will be dearly missed by his family and many friends.

Anthony Russo is survived by his wife of 66 years, Marilyn Russo of Cairo; children, Michael Russo and wife, Barbara of Howard Beach, New York and Mary Ellen Lehman and husband, Eric of Cairo; sister, Ray Mannino of Holbrook, New York; brother, Joseph Russo and wife, Denise of Holbrook; grandchildren, Danielle Taylor (Barclay), Kim Burk (Marcus), Taylor Russo (Renata), and Phil Lehman (Megan); great-grandchildren, Reed and Kate Taylor; and sisters-in-law, Margaret Russo, Jan Hagner and Pat Hagner.  He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, John Russo; brother-in-law, John Mannino; and sister-in-law, Lynn Russo.

A special thanks to Franny and Octavia from Westcare for the care and attention they lavished on Mr. Russo.

Lasting words from Tony Russo, “Be kind and loving to each other.”

On-line condolences may be sent at www.Coxfuneral.net.  Cox Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.