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December 19, 2025
Services
Friends may visit with the family from 10am - 12pm on Saturday, December 27, 2025 at the Vander May Wayne Colonial Funeral Home, 567 Ratzer Rd, Wayne NJ. A funeral service will be held at 12pm on Saturday, December 27, 2025 at the funeral home, immediately following the visiting hours.
Michael Angelo Lorusso, age 66, of Wayne, New Jersey passed away peacefully on Friday, December 19, 2025 with his loving family by his side.
Mike was born to Angelo Lorusso and Jenny Gradzki in Brooklyn, New York and later relocated to West Orange, New Jersey with his brother, Vinny. He graduated from West Orange High School in 1977, where he played varsity football and enjoyed playing tennis, softball, and ice skating with friends. He continued his education at William Paterson University, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in accounting in 1981.
In 1987, Mike started his own accounting practice, Lorusso & Company, which he ran for 17 years and later continued as a consulting firm throughout his professional journey. He became an accounting and tax manager at Cullari Carrico, LLC, before moving to The Dunn Group as a controller. In 2015, Mike began providing his accounting services to The Meglio Group where he worked for eight years before resuming his full-time practice.
Mike dedicated 45 years to the volunteer fire service in Wayne at POL Company #2 and Foresport Fire Department in Forestport, New York. He held various ranks including Lieutenant, Captain, Assistant Chief, and Chief. In 2003, he assumed the role of Fire Commissioner where he oversaw Wayne’s five fire companies. He also held an administrative position as Company #2’s Treasurer which aligned perfectly with his profession. In Forestport, he achieved Lieutenant and Captain after bringing the “big city” firefighting experience to small town New York. His knowledge made him a valuable asset in training and operating procedures which allowed him to move through the ranks rather quickly, all while still learning firematics, after decades of experience, from his friends in Forestport.
Mike’s favorite hobby was snowmobiling in Old Forge with his daughter Gina, and friends Joe, Tammy, Jack, and John. He developed a love for Ski-Doo snowmobiles and BRP ATVs, refusing to purchase any other brand because the exhaust sounded just right, not too pitchy. In 2022, he briefly moved to a beautiful cabin just outside Adirondack Park in Forestport, where he enjoyed the fresh mountain air and could access the snowmobile trails right from his own driveway.
There, he prepared many delicious home-cooked meals after long days of riding, especially on holiday weekends when his daughter and friends would drive up to enjoy the snow and scenery. His favorite feature of the house was the wood stove which not only kept the home warm, but also kept his coffee warm as well when he would place his mug on the top of it. He enjoyed sitting in the backyard by the fire as he watched his dog, Hazel, run around the five-acre property, sniffing for any deer that may have passed through. He loved cooking and grilling, tackling home projects, playing golf, and watching and attending hockey games with Gina. His sense of humor could light up any room, and he made everyone feel welcomed and cared for — it’s the Lorusso way.
Gina was the center of Mike’s world, and he was her biggest supporter in anything she did. Above all, he was her best friend. He read every article she wrote for her college newspaper and cherished watching her grow and succeed every step of the way. He never failed to mention her in conversation, always making sure people knew how proud he was of her. He was a wonderful father, teacher of life lessons, and made the best school lunches, always excited to pack her the new flavor of Oreo he found at the food store. He attended every soccer game and school event to make sure Gina always had someone in the crowd. They bonded over a shared love of coffee, their favorite movie Slap Shot, and long walks with Hazel. So much of Mike’s personality shines in his daughter, from his dedication to his work to his quiet strength and unwavering loyalty to the people he loved.
Mike is predeceased by his parents Jenny Gradzki and Angelo Lorusso, and his beloved son, Anthony who suddenly and unexpectedly passed away at the age of 16 in 2002.
He is survived by his cherished daughter Gina, his brother Vinny, cousin Linda Lopez Papetti and her husband Joe, cousin Steven Shovelson and his wife Mickie, and cousins Jeff and Tammy Shovelson.
The family requests in lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the following organizations:
- Wayne POL Fire Company #2 | PO Box 1, Wayne, NJ 07470
- Trackside Blazers Snowmobile Club Inc. | PO Box 334, Forestport, NY 13338
- Forestport Fire Department, Forestport Firefighters Inc. | 11965 River Rd, Forestport, NY 13338
If you would like to send a private condolence directly to the family use this condolence section.
Friends may visit with the family from 10am - 12pm on Saturday, December 27, 2025 at the Vander May Wayne Colonial Funeral Home, 567 Ratzer Rd, Wayne NJ. A funeral service will be held at 12pm on Saturday, December 27, 2025 at the funeral home, immediately following the visiting hours.
December 19, 2025
Services
Friends may visit with the family from 10am - 12pm on Saturday, December 27, 2025 at the Vander May Wayne Colonial Funeral Home, 567 Ratzer Rd, Wayne NJ. A funeral service will be held at 12pm on Saturday, December 27, 2025 at the funeral home, immediately following the visiting hours.
Michael Angelo Lorusso, age 66, of Wayne, New Jersey passed away peacefully on Friday, December 19, 2025 with his loving family by his side.
Mike was born to Angelo Lorusso and Jenny Gradzki in Brooklyn, New York and later relocated to West Orange, New Jersey with his brother, Vinny. He graduated from West Orange High School in 1977, where he played varsity football and enjoyed playing tennis, softball, and ice skating with friends. He continued his education at William Paterson University, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in accounting in 1981.
In 1987, Mike started his own accounting practice, Lorusso & Company, which he ran for 17 years and later continued as a consulting firm throughout his professional journey. He became an accounting and tax manager at Cullari Carrico, LLC, before moving to The Dunn Group as a controller. In 2015, Mike began providing his accounting services to The Meglio Group where he worked for eight years before resuming his full-time practice.
Mike dedicated 45 years to the volunteer fire service in Wayne at POL Company #2 and Foresport Fire Department in Forestport, New York. He held various ranks including Lieutenant, Captain, Assistant Chief, and Chief. In 2003, he assumed the role of Fire Commissioner where he oversaw Wayne’s five fire companies. He also held an administrative position as Company #2’s Treasurer which aligned perfectly with his profession. In Forestport, he achieved Lieutenant and Captain after bringing the “big city” firefighting experience to small town New York. His knowledge made him a valuable asset in training and operating procedures which allowed him to move through the ranks rather quickly, all while still learning firematics, after decades of experience, from his friends in Forestport.
Mike’s favorite hobby was snowmobiling in Old Forge with his daughter Gina, and friends Joe, Tammy, Jack, and John. He developed a love for Ski-Doo snowmobiles and BRP ATVs, refusing to purchase any other brand because the exhaust sounded just right, not too pitchy. In 2022, he briefly moved to a beautiful cabin just outside Adirondack Park in Forestport, where he enjoyed the fresh mountain air and could access the snowmobile trails right from his own driveway.
There, he prepared many delicious home-cooked meals after long days of riding, especially on holiday weekends when his daughter and friends would drive up to enjoy the snow and scenery. His favorite feature of the house was the wood stove which not only kept the home warm, but also kept his coffee warm as well when he would place his mug on the top of it. He enjoyed sitting in the backyard by the fire as he watched his dog, Hazel, run around the five-acre property, sniffing for any deer that may have passed through. He loved cooking and grilling, tackling home projects, playing golf, and watching and attending hockey games with Gina. His sense of humor could light up any room, and he made everyone feel welcomed and cared for — it’s the Lorusso way.
Gina was the center of Mike’s world, and he was her biggest supporter in anything she did. Above all, he was her best friend. He read every article she wrote for her college newspaper and cherished watching her grow and succeed every step of the way. He never failed to mention her in conversation, always making sure people knew how proud he was of her. He was a wonderful father, teacher of life lessons, and made the best school lunches, always excited to pack her the new flavor of Oreo he found at the food store. He attended every soccer game and school event to make sure Gina always had someone in the crowd. They bonded over a shared love of coffee, their favorite movie Slap Shot, and long walks with Hazel. So much of Mike’s personality shines in his daughter, from his dedication to his work to his quiet strength and unwavering loyalty to the people he loved.
Mike is predeceased by his parents Jenny Gradzki and Angelo Lorusso, and his beloved son, Anthony who suddenly and unexpectedly passed away at the age of 16 in 2002.
He is survived by his cherished daughter Gina, his brother Vinny, cousin Linda Lopez Papetti and her husband Joe, cousin Steven Shovelson and his wife Mickie, and cousins Jeff and Tammy Shovelson.
The family requests in lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the following organizations:
- Wayne POL Fire Company #2 | PO Box 1, Wayne, NJ 07470
- Trackside Blazers Snowmobile Club Inc. | PO Box 334, Forestport, NY 13338
- Forestport Fire Department, Forestport Firefighters Inc. | 11965 River Rd, Forestport, NY 13338
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