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Vito Russo Obituary
Visitation at the Funeral Home on Sunday, March 19, from 3 PM-7 PM with a Vigil Service at 7 PM. Funeral Mass Monday, March 20 at 10 AM at St. Mary Church, 1260 Church St., Elm Grove. Please meet at church. Committal prayers and burial following Mass at Holy Cross Cemetery.
Vito was owner/operator of Russo Produce until the time of his retirement. A 1947 graduate of Marquette High School, Vito was a unanimous all-conference selection at fullback. Vito was past Grand Knight of Pere Marquette Council 524, member of Legion Post #449, and the Italian Community Center.
SCHMIDT & BARTELT
GUARDALABENE & AMATO
Funeral and Cremation Services
10121 W. North Ave. Wauwatosa
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Vito Russo
Rick Schellhammer
November 27, 2020
I knew Vito back in the 70's. He delivered produce to a restaurant I worked at. ( Petroffs on 54th and Burleigh ). He was a very nice guy. Sorry to hear that he passed.May God bless all of you.
John Gamsky
March 24, 2006
All of our love to Aunt Darlene, and our beloved cousins. We mourn the loss of Uncle Vito, and will miss him dearly. We have so many great memories of the times we spent together, most of all the Gamsky/Russo Thanksgivings and Christmas eves. He was a great man that will be sorely missed.
All of our love, and prayers are with you.
John and Tracy Gamsky
lynn Narloch (Cook)
March 24, 2006
Dear Russo Family,
I am sorry to hear of the loss of your father. I remember him with much fondness. That mischievous twinkle in his eye and generous smile were heart warming! Your home always felt safe, warm, slightly chaotic and always full of love and pride for each other!
I know how bad it hurts right now for all of you. We lost a daughter last year in a car accident. Memories are a great comfort and I know you all have many. I too have mine of your wonderful family. I wish you peace.
Deacon John & Antoinette D'Alessio
March 22, 2006
Dear Mike, Debbi & Family,
Antoinette & I would like to extend our condolences. WE want you to know that you are in our prayers.
Peace & Blessings,
Deacon John
Susan Prudlow
March 22, 2006
Dear Mrs. Russo and Family,
I have nothing but fond memories to hold onto. Knowing Mr. Russo since I was 14 was like having a second Dad. He was always happy and smiling. I remember some wild and crazy parties at your house in the summers, for birthdays, anniversaries - heck there was always a gathering of people for one reason or another. All the times I spent sitting at the kitchen table talking with whoever was around or showing up while I waited for Julie to finish primping for the night. Thanks Julie - that's how I got to know your family so well! I always admired Mr. Russo's planting & gardening talents. I wish I would have picked up some tips. I will really miss him. I'll miss his "Hey Sue P!". My heart aches with all of yours - time does help heal. He's smiling down on all of us now, I just know it.
Love,
Sue P.
Thomas Gamsky
March 19, 2006
I will always remember Uncle Vito as a very large man whose heart was as large as he was. He was always their with that big laugh and his arms were wide open for that big bear hug. I will never forget the great times we had with him and all our families at Thanksgiving and Christmas. Uncle Vito might be gone now and in a better place but he will never be forgotten. Much love to you Aunt Darlene and all my Cousins our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Love, Tom, Sarah, Jack and Nicole Gamsky
Chris Russo
March 19, 2006
Dad, I love you so much, and will miss you so much.
We had so many good times, and you were always there for me. We were partners in crime too, trying to get things past mom. On my wedding day, I was ready to rush down the aisle and you grabbed my hand with a strong firm hold which calmed me down immediately, and instead of letting me go rapidly down the aisle, we took slow graceful steps. At the end of the aisle, when you passed me off to Mike - you said something to the effect of "you better take good care of my daughter" - in your great Italian voice. You scared the "xxx" out of Mike. But, you were just joking.
Thank you for being the best dad, guiding me through life, helping me fix things, helping me with my plants, and being my movie buddy, and so much more than words can say.
I love you so much,
Always,
Christina
John , Nora & Nick Russo
March 19, 2006
Dear Aunt Darlene and Cousins,
We loved Uncle Vito so much. He always made everyone feel special.
We will miss his hugs and kisses every time we saw him. We know he is at peace now, reunited with his beloved family in heaven.
Mary Engelbart (Lucchesi)
March 19, 2006
We will all miss Vito. He was a nice person who always had a smile on his face.
Terri Taff
March 19, 2006
Darlene and Family,
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Vito was a kind man and came into the clinic with a smile every time he was here. He will be missed by all.
Marion Fredricks
March 19, 2006
I have fond memories of my "younger days" with the Russo family who were special to me.
Our sympathy to all, Ken and Marion Fredricks
Joe and Erika Weber
March 19, 2006
Dear Russo families,
Mr. Russo was a joy to talk to at the grandchildren's birthday parties. He was a funny and caring man. We are so glad we had the opportunity to meet him. May God help you through this sad time. Love from all of us.
Mary, Jim, Lou Landerman
March 18, 2006
Dear Auntie Darlene, and Cousins,We are going to miss Uncle Vito more than you can imagine. He always had such a way of making everyone feel so welcome and happy. I will always remember Christmas at his house singing around the player piano. I know Grandma and Grandpa Russo are there with him now. My Dad and Mom too. We will keep his memory alive in our hearts. Uncle Vito you were the Best, We Love you.
Sara, Jason, Mario and Natalie Waters (Russo)
March 18, 2006
(Great) Uncle Vito will be deeply missed, I loved everytime I would see him he would give me a great big kiss and hug. He was always the life of the party.I will always remember the time he took our daughter Natalie for a ride in his wheel chair around the Russo x-mas party a couple years back, she just got the biggest kick out of it. He was great great uncle vito to my children and thats a treasure they will have for a lifetime. I also miss my grandfather his brother deeply and now they can be togther in heaven and catch up on old times!Both happy and healthy. Our deepest sympathy to all of the family! With all our love.
Art Gamsky
March 18, 2006
Dear Aunt Darlene and Cousins,
Uncle Vito will always have a special place in my heart. I remember him as always full of love and laughter. I remember with very fond memories all the fourth of July's we enjoyed to together at your house. He was a wonderful man and touched my life in ways that will be treasured forever.
Tina Bedwell
March 18, 2006
I loved my grandpa so much. He was so funny. My grandpa new how to make my day. When ever I saw him he made a smile on my face!
Grandpa & Cadey - May 1, 2005
March 18, 2006
Marie Peterson
March 18, 2006
Aunt Darlene and all my cousins,
I will miss Uncle Vito with all my heart. I have many special memories of him - the one that sticks in my mind was at my wedding when he said I was just like another daughter to him. That meant the world to me. I love you all very much.
Love Marie
JackandTheresa
March 18, 2006
Dear Darlene and children,etc.
Jack and I will miss Vito so much, everytime I turn on the computer I will be looking for a e-mail from him.
Jack lost his best buddy, who played ball with him, golfed, and was his confirmation sponser. bowled and sometimes got him in trouble
Vito and I were just two years apart I remember when he had his sled accident and I would take the street car all the way to St . Marys Hospital to visit him on Sat Afternoons, Vito you will be missed. Jack and Theresa
dorothy hays
March 18, 2006
God's blessings to you, Darlene, and your families.
I'll always remember Vito's smiling face and laughter.
His work here on earth is complete and now he joins the band of angels in heaven.
Dorothy Hays
Marcia Mantei
March 17, 2006
Darlene and Family,
My deepest sympathy in your time of sorrow. Vito was my favorite lab patient and I will miss him. I always looked forward to his visits and his smile! You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Marjorie Crivello
March 17, 2006
To the Vito Russo family,
He was a treasured friend and will be sadly missed. We were also Knights of Columbus buddies.
My heart goes out to Darlene and the family
Marge Crivello, Las Vegas, NV
James Mallon
March 17, 2006
Condolences from Chicago. Vito was a highschool classmate teammate and friend. He was the largest and I the smallest in MUHS class of 1947
Jim Mallon and Joyce Russo Mallon
Catherine Carey
March 17, 2006
Iloved grandpa I new him since I was born.
Annemarie Breske
March 17, 2006
I remember "Uncle" Vito (my mom thought we should use uncle as a term of respect) as a happy, funny guy--we were always excited to see him! I was so sorry to hear of his passing, and my prayers are with you.
Annemarie Lucchesi Breske
Dave Podeszwa
March 17, 2006
Vito's great smile will be missed by all of us. Our thoughts and prayers are with your whole family as we all fondly remember Vito and the good times. Our KC bowling teams became great friends over the years.
Dave and Luanne Podeszwa
Nicholas & Concetta Russo Children
connie russo
March 17, 2006
Uncle Vito was very special to me.
He was my godfather. I would go
up to him and give him a kiss and
say the "Godfather" and he would
chuckle. My fondest memory was Sun.
brunch at Grandma & Grampa's with
all the aunts and uncles. After
we ate we would sit around the table
and play cards.
Lois Sleider
March 17, 2006
Dar,
I will miss Vito. I loved him like a brother. He was my computer buddy. He is at peace now. I love you. Lois
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