This is a printer-friendly version of an article from Zip06.com.

Pasquale Russo, Jr., longtime resident of Guilford and most recently of Branford, passed away on May 18 at Cedar Woods of Branford. Husband of the late Marilyn Anne (Ward) Russo, Mr. Russo was born in New Haven on March 10, 1925, son of the late Pasquale Russo and Antoinette (Basilicato) Russo.

He was the loving father of Linda C. Zink of New Mexico; MSG Pasquale James Russo, USA (Ret.) of Georgia; Donna Fenn of Branford; BG Mark A. Russo, USA (Ret.) of Guilford; Michael V. Russo of Florida; Martha Russo of Guilford; and Matthew P. Russo of Killingworth.

He is also survived by three stepchildren, Pamela Walz of North Carolina, Deborah Rhodes of North Carolina, and Jonathan Graham of Maine. He is also survived by 13 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild.

He is the brother of Anthony (Jane) Russo and Joseph Russo, all of Guilford, and Angela (Carmen) Vegliante of Cheshire. He was predeceased by five brothers, Andrew, Vincent, Stephen, Robert, and Richard, and two sisters, Anna Maria (Mary) Dohm and Rose DeVeau.

Pasquale and his family moved to Guilford when he was nine years old. He grew up and worked on the family farm on Nut Plains Road in Guilford. He was a graduate of Guilford High School, Class of 1943, where he served as class president, captain of the basketball team, and member of the football team. He achieved second place in the country for the National Achievement Test completed during World War II.

Before retirement, Mr. Russo was an accomplished stone and brick mason. He owned and operated Stonegate Builders. He enjoyed Sunday drives, gardening, singing, bocce, UConn girls basketball, and spending time with his family. He was previous president of the Shoreline Italian American Club and enjoyed the Guilford Senior Center. Pat loved nature and enjoyed walks with his dog to the lake behind his home as a young boy. He was affectionately known to many as “Patsy,” and he had a great sense of humor.

Friends are invited to calling hours from 4 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, May 24, at the Guilford Funeral Home, 115 Church Street, Guilford. A Mass of Christian burial will be at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, May 25, at St. George Church, 33 Whitfield Street, Guilford. Burial will follow in Alder Brook Cemetery, 375 Boston Street, Guilford. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the VFW-Edward A. Norton Post # 7666, P.O. Box 173, Guilford, CT 06437; http://www.guilfordvfw.com/. To share a memory or leave condolences, visit www.guilfordfuneralhome.com.