Charles J. Russo

Charles J. Russo, 98, of Brecksville (and previously Aurora), Ohio died April 12, 2023.  He was born in East Cleveland, Ohio, attended school there and was President of his Shaw High School graduation class of 1943.  Ten days after graduation he entered the U.S. Army.  He was in the European Campaign with the 131st Artillery Division.  He fought in the Normandy Invasion on Utah Beach and was in The Battle of The Bulge.  Charles received three Bronze Stars.  He was a medic.  Post military, he studied at Northern Illinois in Chicago, Illinois.  His working years included 14 years with Four Roses Distillers in the Industrial Sales Division, and was in real estate sales 14 years.  He then worked 29 years at Clark Industrial Insulation until he finally retired at age 83. He built, owned and worked at Russo’s-Drive-In Beverage and Russo’s Dairy Queen in Parma, Ohio during the 1950’s and 1960’s.  Charles is survived by his loving wife Louise; their daughter Christine, their son John (Cristi); and grandson Daniel. He was preceded in death by both his brother Philip and sister-in-law (Betty) and his brother Joe (Sally) of Concord, Ohio and Naples, Florida. He leaves many nieces and nephews, and many second and third generation cousins to whom he was “senior head cousin”.  Charles was a splendid Grandpa Chuck to Daniel Charles Russo “grandson who has kept me young at heart.”  “I love you so Dan.”  Mass of Christian Burial will be 11:00 AM Thursday, April 27, 2023 at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church (342 South Chillicothe Road, Aurora, Ohio 44202).  Visitation will be one hour prior to Mass time. One day service only; no wake.  Private family interment on a later date will be at Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery in Rittman, Ohio.  In lieu of flowers, it was Charle's wish for Honorary Memorials:  Cleveland Food Bank (https://support.greaterclevelandfoodbank.org) or to Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church (Aurora, Ohio) Funeral Ministry (olphaurora.org) . Arrangements entrusted to Adams Mason Funeral Home.