Walter J. Russo

Walter Russo was born July 31, 1956 in Milan, Italy. He passed on June 19, 2010 due to complications related to a diagnosis of Esophageal Cancer eight months prior. Walter was adopted from an Italian orphanage by Broadway actress Camilla Ashland Russo and Broadway director and producer James Vincent Russo. His parents raised Walter in the Bronx, N.Y., where he entered theatre at the age of five appearing in "Finian's Rainbow". When his parents decided they had had enough of the winters in New York, they opted to retire in sunny southern California. Not long afterwards, Walter decided that he had had enough of those winters as well and moved to the desert permanently. For several years Walter was with the La Quinta Resort, working with the engineering department as department head of their fulltime painting crew. Walter had a hand in selecting a signature color for the resort, and that to this day it is known as "La Quinta Blue." While his days were spent painting La Quinta Blue … he evenings and weekends were spent pursuing his true passion in the theatre arts. He became very active in local community theatre and served as the Artistic Director of the Palm Desert Community Theatre for 17 years (1982-1999). He also presided for a term as President of the Desert Theatre League and was well versed in all aspects of theatre production. In the late 1990's he sensed that the real estate industry in the Coachella Valley was on the cusp of booming, so he went through professional schooling and earned his real estate license. Walter developed a growing number of clients over the past decade due to his professionalism, personal integrity and natural charm. In an effort to give back to the community, Walter served on the boards of The Children's Discovery Museum of the Desert, The Weil Institute of Critical Care Lifesavers and The Rancho Mirage Chamber of Commerce. He was also very proud to be a past president of The Rotary Club of Rancho Mirage. Walter is survived by his ex-wife, Muriel, who regularly provided great comfort and joy to him during his last eight months. He has three brothers still living in Italy, Luciano, Domenico, and Etorre, another brother, Mario, is here in the US. Walter was known for many years for always being optimistic by saying, "It's a good life." And --- he quipped often over the past eight months ... "It is STILL a good life." And, for those who believe Jesus is Lord ... as Walter did ... it is now Eternal Life. In lieu of flowers, Walter has asked that donations be made to the Desert Cancer Foundation in his name. A Memorial Service will be held at 10:45 AM on Friday, July 16, 2010 at Sacred Heart Church, 43775 Deep Canyon Rd., Palm Desert, CA 92260.