Published in the October 1, 2015 edition
Vietnam War veteran
NORTH READING — Robert W. Russo, 71, of North Reading and formerly of Saugus, died at his home on Monday, Sept. 21, 2015.
Born in Chelsea, on Dec. 7, 1943, he was the son of the late Rocco and Blanche (St. Laurent) Russo. He was a graduate of Revere High School and he later attended a Vocational School. He was a U.S. Army Veteran of the Vietnam Conflict.
Robert was a retired body shop manager. He also worked as a business insurance adjustor, automobile appraiser and a carpenter and builder. He has been a resident of North Reading for the past 29 years. He was a member of the North Reading Masonic Lodge AF&AM, Aleppo Shrine, Orientals Hot Rod Club and Stroker Hot Rod Club in Gloucester.
He was known for his strength of character, teaching others by example and perseverance. His functioning ability under any circumstances, power, intuition, loving, always an avid listener and problem solver. He was smart, funny, kind and spiritual. Robert loved nature, hiking, kayaking, the beach, the mountains, lakes and the ocean. He loved animals and birds of prey like hawks and eagles. He was always building, a house, a camp, a shed or fireplace. He loved hot rods and motorcycles. He also enjoyed reading and thinking.
Family members include his loving wife of 43 years, Linda (Roberts) Russo; daughters, Nicole Russo of Wakefield and Vanessa (Russo) Vath and her husband Alex of Peabody; his sister, Debbie Powers and her husband Larry of Winthrop; nieces, Jessica Powers of Everett and Sharon Powers of Winthrop and grandson, Logan Vath of Peabody.
His funeral was held at the Emmanuel Episcopal Church, 5 Bryant St., Wakefield on Saturday, Sept. 26. Calling hours were at the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow St., North Reading on Friday, Sept. 25. Burial was in Puritan Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery in Peabody. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made in his memory to: Tufts Medical Center Trust, 800 Washington St., Box 231, Boston MA 02111, checks payable to Tufts Medical Center, specifically to Prostate Cancer Research Fund (Dr. Paul Mathew). www.croswellfuneralhome.com.
