Gennaro A. Russo

Gennaro ?Jerry? Russo, 80, West Hartford died peacefully Thursday February 2, 2006 at St Francis Hospital surrounded by his loving family. Born in Hartford, the devoted husband of 49 years to Eileen Kelly Russo, was son of the late Anthony and Rose Setaro Russo. He received his diploma from Buckley High School in 1945 and went on to serve his country in the Army Signal Corps stationed in the Philippines during WWII. He majored in Economics and Business Administration as member of the 2nd graduating class of Fairfield University in 1952. He began working for his uncle Robert Setaro in New Haven at Setaro Motors until he was awarded a Jeep franchise and formed Hartford Willis Motors in 1956. He went on to establish Hartford Industrial Tractor, Russo Chevrolet in Windsor Locks and West Hartford Subaru as well as other related auto businesses. He also developed numerous commercial properties. His commitment to volunteerism began with his involvement in the Hartford Chamber of Commerce and the Windsor Locks Rotary. He is a past member of the West Hartford Knights of Columbus and member of the Hartford Rotary. He was a past President of the Cathedral of St Joseph parish council and served the Cathedral as member of the Social Action Committee, Pastoral Council, Trustee and Lector. He severed as President of the Saint Vincent de Paul Particular Council as well as the delegate to the National conference. He was a Trustee for the Catholic Charities and Family Services and a member of Arch Bishop Whalen?s Laity Commission as well as the Loaves and Fishes Steering Committee. He served as President of the Asylum Hill Christian Community and member of the Asylum Hill Organizing Project. His numerous philanthropic activities included fund raising for St Joseph College, Cathedral of St Joseph, Northwest Catholic High School and Mount Saint Joseph Academy. He was distinguished by being awarded the Albert Gallatin Award as the outstanding business person of the year in CT, RI and MA. He also received the Paul Harris Fellowship Medal by the Rotary Foundation International. The Archdiocesan of Hartford awarded him the Medal of Appreciation for his lifelong contributions and the Cathedral of St Joseph presented him and his wife Eileen Medals of Appreciation. He is also survived by his seven children; Gennaro A. Russo, Jr. of East Haddam and his six children Christopher, Angela and her son Jeremiah, Hilary, Michael, Carla and Rachel. Mary-Beth Russo Aguado of West Hartford and her children Justin and Stephanie Aguado, Rosemary Russo and her husband Lee Pearlman of Avon and their son Maxwell. Anthony and his wife Katie of West Hartford and their sons Jackson and Cooper, Margaret Ayers of Newington, Ann Russo and her husband Talbott Manolis of West Hartford and their children Hannah and Campbell, John and his wife Paula of Hebron. He is also survived by his brother Michael Russo and his wife Ina of Dunedin, FL, his sister Micheline Russo of Clearwater, FL as well as several nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his sister Agnes Bassilakis. Friends may remember him from daily breakfast with family and friends at Effies Place in West Hartford. A special thanks to the staff on 6-1 at St Francis Hospital. Calling hours will be Monday from 4-8 p.m. at the Molloy Funeral Home, 906 Farmington Ave, West Hartford. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday February 7th at 10:30 a.m. in the Cathedral of St Joseph, 140 Farmington Ave. Hartford. Burial will follow in Mt. St. Benedict Cemetery, Bloomfield. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Cathedral of St Joseph Food Pantry, 140 Farmington Ave Hartford, CT 06105. Online expressions of sympathy may be made at www.molloyfuneralhome.com

Gennaro A. Russo

June 18, 1925 - February 2, 2006