Anthony “Curly” Russo

Anthony “Curly” Russo, age 84, of Bloomingdale passed on Tuesday, May 11, 2021.

He was born in New York City to Thomas and Christine Russo.  He and his siblings grew up on 21 Spring Street in New York City. Curly met the love of his life Frances Vizzio when they were just kids.  They married on September 27, 1959 at St Patrick’s Cathedral Little Italy in New York City. After marrying they moved to 21st Ave and 78th Street in Brooklyn where they established their home. They then moved from New York to New Jersey where they lived for fifty years, and had a loving, caring marriage of 61 years.

As a young man out of high school Curly did anything he could to make a living.  He often hustled two different jobs at the same time.  Before retiring in 1995 he owned Ruggero’s Restaurant on Grand Street in the Little Italy section of New York City, he also owned and operated a 1Hour Martinizing Dry Cleaners for about twenty years.

He was a parishioner of Our Lady of Consolation Church, Wayne for many years.  He and his wife Frances regularly attended the Saturday 5 PM Mass.

Curly will be remembered for his sweet, loving, and selfless way. He was generous to a fault, made everyone laugh, and had a caring heart. To know him was to love him and he will be dearly missed. When it came to sports he liked the NY Yankees, NY Islanders, and he loved the Miami Dolphins. He made many fond family memories at his summer home in Toms River where he loved to go out on his boat.  In his later years he spent a lot of his time boating with his son Tom and family on the Hudson River. For most of their lives he and Frances enjoyed wintering in Hallandale Beach, Florida. Most of all Curly enjoyed being with his family.  He took great pride in seeing the accomplishments of his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, and had a special way of making them feel loved.

Curly is survived by his beloved wife Frances (Vizzio) Russo, son Thomas and wife Nancy Russo of Wayne, daughter Roxanne and husband John Capra of Closter. Cherished grandfather of Roxanne (Jason) Hartman, Tonianne (Mike) Tubman, Anthony Russo, Carissa (Rob) Wojehowski, and John Capra. Dearly loved great-grandfather of Dominick and Jason Hartman, and Ariela Wojehowski. He was the much loved brother of the late Joseph, Peter, and Mary Russo. Curly was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, and friend to all.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations to St Jude Children’s Research Hospital Memorials Processing 501 St. Jude Place Memphis, TN 38105-9959, would be greatly appreciated.  To donate online, click here.