Charles Russo

COMMERCE - Charles Anthony Russo, 83, died Friday, February 13, 2009, at his residence.

He was born November 4, 1925, in Highland Falls, N.Y., the son of the late Charles A. and Frances Roser Russo. He was a member of St. Catherine Laboure' Catholic Mission. He was a loving husband, father, and a career United States Marine Corp veteran. Mr. Russo was preceded in death by a son, Charles Russo, II.

Mr. Russo started his military career on November 10, 1942 when he enlisted in the Marine Corps. He went through basic recruit training, advanced infantry training and field artillery and anti-aircraft gun school. Then he served in the Asiatic Pacific from March 12, 1943 - November 12, 1945. Mr. Russo was wounded in action April 1, 1945. He participated in action on Okinawa from April 1, 1945 - April 14, 1945 and Eniwetok from February 24, 1944 - March 2, 1944. He was awarded the Certificate of Satisfactory Service and Good Conduct Medal on November 9, 1945. On January 23, 1946 Mr. Russo received the Certificate of Honorable and Satisfactory Service in WWII active duty rank of Corporal. Charles and Mary were married in June of 1947. In March of 1953, he was recalled to active duty and made the decision to become a career Marine. He served as Staff Sergeant with the American Land Forces Middle-East Lebanon in 1958. In January of 1963 he was awarded the Purple Heart, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, Navy Occupation Service Medal (Asia) and National Defense Service Medal. Mr. Russo completed four tours of duty in Vietnam, attained rank of Master Gunnery Sergeant (E-9) and retired in July of 1973, having served honorably for 28 years and 6 months.

Survivors include his wife, Marion Bopp Russo, Commerce; sons, David M. Russo, Sr., owner of New Age Hearing Aid Center, and Leo J. Russo, both of Commerce; brother, David Sherman, Cornwall, N.Y.; sister, Nancy Shiner, Florida; grandchildren, Kimberly Kay Russo and David M. Russo, II; great-grandchildren, Carley Russo and Aaryah Russo.
A funeral mass was held Monday, February 16, at St. Catherine Laboure' Catholic Mission with Father Liem Nguyen officiating. Interment followed in the Evergreen Memorial Gardens.

Little-Ward Funeral Home, Commerce, was in charge of arrangements.