Joseph Richard Russo, age 87 years, died on Tuesday, January 31, 2023. Mr. Russo was born in Rochester, NY, and grew up in Clifton, NJ. He was a graduate of Fairleigh Dickinson University and a member of the N.J. National Guard. He loved music, particularly jazz and big band, and performed as a drummer for many years as a young man. Prior to his retirement, he served as a most trusted financial advisor for 40 years at both Smith Barney and Morgan Stanley.
Mr. Russo was formerly a resident of Verona, NJ, and then Sea Girt, NJ. He was a longtime parishioner of Our Lady of the Lake Church and St. Marks Church; he led his family in faith by example. He is survived by his wife, Josephine (nee Pastena), and his four children Lisa (Christopher) Mancuso, Joseph (Caroline) Russo, Donna (Timothy) Whelan, and Michael (Laura) Russo. He was also the proud and loving grandfather of nine grandchildren Mark, Marissa, Lauren, Abigail, Christopher, Grace, Madelyn, Katherine, and Isabel.
Arrangements are under the care of Orender Family Home for Funerals, Manasquan, NJ. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 9:30am on Saturday, February 4, 2023, at Saint Mark’s Roman Catholic Church (215 Crescent Parkway, Sea Girt, NJ 08750), followed by burial at 12:00pm at Gate of Heaven Cemetery (225 Ridgedale Avenue, East Hanover, NJ 08936). In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to a charity of your choice. To send condolences to the family please visit www.orenderfamilyhome.net.