Brian LaRusso

Obituary of Brian LaRusso

Brian LaRusso, 61, of Howell NJ peacefully passed away from a sudden illness January 30, 2026, at CentraState Hospital in Freehold NJ accompanied by those he loved. He was born November 6, 1964, in Tuscaloosa, AL to Mary (Troutner) LaRusso of Muncie, IN and Frank LaRusso of Passaic, NJ, and grew up in Montclair and Wayne, NJ.

When looking into an advertisement for a roommate in 1991, he met Bechi Currier of Springfield, VT and though he didn't get the sublet, they instantly connected, fell in love, and shared their life together for his far-too-short remaining 35 years, living in West Caldwell, Parsippany, and ultimately Howell, NJ with their many cherished rescue cats.

He graduated from Willam Paterson University with his Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and was a Computer Specialist at New York City Transit, where he was recently recognized for fifteen years of service after having spent five years previously working with Siemens Braunschweig on NYCT's ATS rail control project. He is sorely missed by his many friends and colleagues with whom he shared so many good times, laughs, meals and memories. "Big B" was famous for his diverse palate and appreciation of good food. He would have been honored to know "his" chair has been dedicated to him at the Local Diner and Bakery in Farmingdale, NJ.

Brian was born with an aptitude for the mechanical and would dismantle and reassemble household items to "see how they worked" from a very young age. One of his favorite toys was an airplane that flew using cardboard patterns and a model V8 engine. He also enjoyed model rocketry and dirtbikes as a young boy and treasured every vehicle he owned, working on them himself. He also loved astronomy, aviation, firearms, and almost any type of music, but more than anything else he truly loved animals – from his childhood German Shepherd best friend, "Grenny", goldfish "Clementine, and his guinea pigs and parakeets to the many, many cats he loved throughout his life, beginning with "Uncle Conran" and encompassing "Model", "Giblet", "Creepy Mouse", "Peek-a-Boo", "Bob", "Lady Jane", "Dr. It", and his current furry family. Brian was a supporter of many non-profit animal organizations, including the Monmouth County SPCA, Springfield (VT) Humane Society, Kevin Richardson Wildlife Sanctuary (Cullinan, South Africa), Imire Rhino & Wildlife Conservancy (Zimbabwe), and Alaska Raptor Center, as well as TIGHAR (The International Group for Historic Aircraft Recovery), and the Metropolitan Opera, Metropolitan Museum of Art, and Natural History Museum. He was a big guy, with a much bigger heart.

Brian is survived by his love, Bechi and their five cats, Mr. Pins (his "son"), Gennie, Margaret Muffins, Buttonhead, and Whoopie Pie; his mother, Mary LaRusso of Howell, NJ; his father, Frank LaRusso (Jane) of Overland Park, KS; brothers, Jason LaRusso (Michelle) of Villa Park, IL and Matthew LaRusso (Melissa) of Wall, NJ; niece, Kayla LaRusso and nephew, Jackson LaRusso. He is also greatly missed by Bechi's family who immediately embraced him as one of their own, her late father, Bob Currier, with whom Brian spent many happy hours in the garage sniffing gasoline fumes and trapshooting, and mother, Joan Currier of Springfield, VT; sister, Amy Estey (Joe) of Cummins, GA; brother, Bobby (Patty) of Westford, VT, and the many, many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews with whom he shared untold shenanigans over the years.

Cremation has taken place and his family will be arranging a private gathering to celebrate his life at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Brian's memory to any of the organizations above that meant so much to him. For information, directions, or to leave condolence messages to the family, please visit www.claytonfuneralhome.com