Vincent G. Russo Sr.

Vincent G. "Vince" Russo, Sr., a native and lifelong resident of Baton Rouge, died Wednesday, January 21, 2015, at Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center. He was born at home on Christmas Day, 1929, to Josie Pastiro Russo and Neno Russo. Vince graduated from Baton Rouge High School and received a degree in mechanical engineering from LSU before graduating from Engineer Officer Candidate School at Fort Belvoir, Va., and being commissioned as a second lieutenant during the Korean War. After receiving a Bronze Star for service in the armed forces, Vince obtained a civil engineering degree from LSU and launched a 30-year career as a bridge design engineer and section head with the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development. After retiring from state service, he continued working another 15 years as a consultant with GEC Inc. Vince is survived by his wife of 59 years, Mary Lorena Hebert Russo. They were among the founding parishioners of St. Jude Catholic Church, where Vince served on the school board, as parish fair chairman and as the first Grand Knight of the parish's Knight of Columbus Council. He was a longtime member of the St. Jude prison ministry at Angola State Penitentiary. He is also survived by his children and their spouses; Chris Russo Blackwood and Bill Blackwood, Beverly Russo Broussard and Kenny Broussard, Vincent G. Russo Jr. and Tommie Russo, Linda Russo Kimmel and Fred Kimmel, Michael Russo and Donna Russo, and Susan Russo; son-in-law, Doug McConnell; grandchildren, Ben Love, Lucas Love, Andrew Kimmel, Kayla McConnell and Carly McConnell; his sister, Joan Russo May; and sisters-in-law, Joyce Russo and Beatrice Russo. He is preceded in death by his parents; a daughter, Angela Russo McConnell; a sister and brother-in-law, Josephine and Roland Schillaci; brothers and sister-in-law, Peter and Josephine Russo, John Russo Sr. and Anthony Russo; and brother-in-law, William May. Visitation will be observed on Sunday, January 25, 2015, at Resthaven Funeral Home, 11817 Jefferson Hwy., from 4:00 pm until 7:00 pm. Visiting will resume on Monday, January 26, 2015, at St. Jude Catholic Church from 10:00 am until the Mass of Christian Burial at noon. Interment to follow at Resthaven Gardens of Memory. Pallbearers include Michael Russo, Tony Russo, John Russo Jr., Ben Love, Lucas Love and Andrew Kimmel. The family requests that in lieu of flowers donations be made to St. Jude Catholic Church, 9150 Highland Road, Baton Rouge, LA 70810. Family and friends may sign the online guestbook or leave a personal note to the family at www.resthavenbatonrouge.com.