Joseph R. Russo

TRENTON - Joseph R. Russo, 97, of Trenton, entered into God's eternal care on Friday, Sept. 7, 2012, at home with his loving family at his side. Born in Trenton, Mr. Russo was a lifelong area resident. He was a local and national pocket billiard champion holding various titles, including but not limited to the NJ State Pocket Billiards Championship in 1965, the Missouri State Pocket Billiards Championship in 1969, the U.S. Open Pocket Billiards Championship in 1969 held in Johnson City, IL, the Hotel Stardust Open Pocket Billiard Championship in Las Vegas, NV in 1970, and was twice winner of the Las Vegas Open Pocket Billiards Tournament in 1969 and 1970. He was a member of the Billiard Proprietor Association of America, owned and operated three local area pocket billiard lounges over the years. They were known as the "Broad Billiards" in Trenton, the "Gold Crown Billiard Lounge" in Trenton, and the "Family Recreation Center" in Ewing Twp. Mr. Russo enjoyed teaching the game of pocket billiards and strove to change the negative image of pocket billiards that existed early on, to a respected, family oriented game where women and children could comfortably play the game in a safe, clean, pleasant, and friendly environment. Mr. Russo was a real estate investor, skilled wood worker, and a talented inventor. He invented several accessories for his beloved game of pocket billiards. The most popular of which he called the "Russo Interlocking Pool and Snooker Bridgeheads". The bridgeheads were designed and patented worldwide in 1975. They are sold throughout the U.S. via various billiard supply wholesalers. They are currently used in most the major pocket billiard tournaments around the world.
Mr. Russo was a parishioner of Our Lady of the Angels Parish-Immaculate Conception Church. He was a dedicated family man who enjoyed nothing more than being a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He especially enjoyed preparing homemade Sunday dinners for his children and grandchildren.
Son of the late Robert and Madeline H. (Gregorio) Russo; beloved husband of the late Anna D. (Manze) Russo; brother of the late Louis, Fred, and John Russo; he is survived by his loving caretaker of 11 years, Dali Kakauridze, with whom he resided; a son and daughter-in-law, Robert and Cynthia Russo; a daughter Madeline C. Weisel and her companion Bruce Lloyd; four grandchildren, Sabrina and her husband David Gould, Brittany Russo, Mark Sorrento, Donna Sorrento, and Dr. Dean Sorrento and his wife Christine; seven great-grandchildren, Aidan and Christian Gould, Sydney, Matthew, and Haley Sorrento, Dean Jr., and Brianna Sorrento,; a sister Mary J. Brunini; and several nieces, and nephews.
The funeral will be held 8:15 a.m. Friday, Sept. 14, 2012, from D'Errico Whitehorse Mercerville Chapel, 2365 Whitehorse Mercerville Road, Hamilton, NJ 08619, located in the Hamilton Brenna-Cellini facility. (609) 587-9050.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 9:30 a.m. Friday, Sept. 14, 2012, at Our Lady of the Angels–Immaculate Conception Church, 540 Chestnut Avenue, Trenton, NJ 08611. Entombment will follow in Our Lady of Lourdes Cemetery, Madonna Mausoleum in Hamilton. Calling hours will be held Thursday, Sept. 13 from 5 to 8 p.m. at the D'Errico Whitehorse-Mercerville Chapel, LLC, located at 2365 Whitehorse Mercerville Road, in Hamilton.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Our Lady of the Angels Parish, 21-23 Bayard St., Trenton, NJ 08611.