Celebrating the life of
Charles Joseph Russo, Sr.
September 03, 1913 - March 05, 2008
Charles Joseph Russo, Sr.
SAVANNAH - Charles Joseph Russo, Sr., 94, of Savannah, died March 5, 2008 at Hospice Savannah. He is survived by his wife of 67 years Antoinette Mathews Russo. Charlie was born in Maynard, Massachusetts September 3, 1913 and preceded in death by his parents Frank and Julia Russo, two sisters Mary Gaither and Delina Saxon and two brothers Joseph Russo and Louis Russo.
As a child, Charlie attended Sacred Heart School while working and maintaining his family's dairy farm. He graduated from Benedictine Military School in 1931 and is the last surviving member of his class and oldest alumnus of BC. His passion with seafood began shortly thereafter with Rayola Seafood where he spent several years working himself to the top – to then make the decision to take a position with the United States Postal Service. World War II interrupted his career and he served as Chief Petty Officer in the United States Navy. He then returned home and started Charles J. Russo Fresher Seafoods in 1946.
Charlie was a lifetime member and communicant of Blessed Sacrament Church where he was a member of the Holy Name Society, a member and past President of the Savannah Italian Club, a devoted member of the Benedictine Military School Athletic Association and member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles. He was an avid daily word jumbler and always had a joke for anyone he came in contact with.
He is survived by two brothers, John Russo of Deltona, Florida and Frank Russo of Severn, Maryland, son and daughter-in-law, Charles Jr. and Clara Russo, son Vincent Russo and daughter and son-in-law Sarah and Timothy Fogarty all of Savannah, Georgia; nine grandchildren; Kathleen Ronald Coppage, Bridget Craig Moore, Lamar Amanda Russo, Julia Gene Maxey, Cecilia Russo, Erica Russo Courtenay, Charles Russo III, Kristen Fogarty and Rebecca Fogarty; and ten great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be at Blessed Sacrament Church on Friday from 6:30pm to 8:30pm with a Christian Wake Service at 7:00pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Blessed Sacrament Church on Saturday at 10:00am and a Christian burial to follow at the Catholic Cemetery.
Pallbearers: Charles Russo III, Lamar Russo, Brandon Mell, Nolan Mell, LTC Cornell McNeal Ret, James Patrick and Jim Walsh
Remembrances: Benedictine Athletic Association, 6502 Seawright Drive 31406 and Blessed Sacrament Church, 1003 Victory Drive 31405.
Rest in Peace Uncle Charlie. You were deeply loved by all.
- Julia Theresa, Las Vegas, NV
Rest in Peace Uncle Charlie! Condolences to all your family, friends, and co-workers...you are loved and missed.
- Julia, Las Vegas, NV
Rest in Peace Uncle Charlie! Condolences to all your family, friends, and co-workers...you are loved and missed.
- Julia, Las Vegas, NV
I have many fond memories of Charlie and Anntoinette. My family has been friends with the Mathews & Russo every since I was a little girl in Savannah.Charlie always had a friendly smile and a kind word for everyone he spoked with...Charlie touched so many lives. My parents lived on 35th & East Broad St. and my Mother would walk to Russo Fresh Seafood Market on Waters Ave. to buy her fresh seafood and see Charlie & Anntoinette. I attend Sacret Heart School with Tony mathews Anntoinette's brother. We have so many wonderful memories of the family. Our deepest condolences goes out to all the family. Please know you all are in our thoughts and prayers. God Bless, Anna Mae Nastasi Miller
- Anna mae Nastasi Miller, Paso Robles,, CA
Please accept our heartfelt sympathy to your entire family.May God comfort you in these difficult times.
- Carol and Joe Douglas and Family, Savannah, GA
Dear Russo Family, You are in our thoughts and prayers during this time of loss. We pray for you to have peace, knowing that Mr. Russo lived a long and full life.
- Debbie and Robert Brown, Moultrie, GA
MY DEEPEST SYMPOTHY GOES OUT TO YOUR ENTIRE FAMALY.
- STEVEN RASCHKE, SAVANNAH, GA
On his seafood buying trips to McIntosh County, Mr. Russo brought integrity, business acuity, and weekly jokes. Deepest condolences to his family at the loss of this fine gentleman.
- Barbara Haas, Savannah, GA
We are so sorry to hear of Charlie Sr.'s passing. I remember him from the days when we lived on 40th street. He was always full of fun and jokes. I know how much you will miss him. You are being upheld in our prayers.
- Charlotte and Giles Bowers, Richmond Hill, GA
To the Russo family, please accept my heartfelt condolences on the passing of Mr. Russo. May God comfort you all.
- Mary Grundy, SAVANNAH, GA
I'm glad I had the chance to know Charlie and that he lived a long, and prosperous life. I can only hope that some of those strong Russo genes a quarter of which flow in my veins give me at least as many years. He was a good man, and good husband, a good father, and an honorable citizen. Randall Barry his sister Delina's grandson
- Randall Barry, Arlington, VA
GRANT,O LORD ,THAT MY HEART FELT SYMPATHY IS PASSED THROUGH MY PRAYERS FOR YOUR FAMILY AT THIS TIME OF BEREAVEMENT.I KNEW MR.CHARLES WELL AND ALWAYS AND THE UPMOST RESPECT FOR HIM,HE WILL BE SADLY MISSED BY EVERYONE WHO KNEW HIM.
- MICHAEL.J.COUNIHAN, SAVANNAH, GA
Please accept my sincere condolences, I know my father always looked forward to seeing your Dad when he was in Savannah.
- Ida Salvi Sciullo, Vandergrift, PA
My college memories with Sarah at UGA remind me of Mr. Russo and his fun smile. Sending you my love and prayers. Fondly, Lisa
- Lisa Harris Graham, Branford, CT
Charlie will be missed by everyone. We send our love and are thinking of you during this difficult time. With deepest sympathy, The Boondry family.
- Arthur & Veda Boondry, Savannah, GA
Our deepest sympathy go out to all the Russo family. You are in our hearts and in our prayers. You were blessed to have had your father, grandfather and friend for a good part of your lives. He will be deeply missed. He blessed you in so many ways. God bless you all. Love, Sarah B. and William Thomas
- Sarah & Billy Thomas, Richmond Hill, GA
Rest in Peace Uncle Charlie. You were deeply loved by all.
- Julia Theresa, Las Vegas, NV
Rest in Peace Uncle Charlie! Condolences to all your family, friends, and co-workers...you are loved and missed.
- Julia, Las Vegas, NV
Rest in Peace Uncle Charlie! Condolences to all your family, friends, and co-workers...you are loved and missed.
- Julia, Las Vegas, NV
I have many fond memories of Charlie and Anntoinette. My family has been friends with the Mathews & Russo every since I was a little girl in Savannah.Charlie always had a friendly smile and a kind word for everyone he spoked with...Charlie touched so many lives. My parents lived on 35th & East Broad St. and my Mother would walk to Russo Fresh Seafood Market on Waters Ave. to buy her fresh seafood and see Charlie & Anntoinette. I attend Sacret Heart School with Tony mathews Anntoinette's brother. We have so many wonderful memories of the family. Our deepest condolences goes out to all the family. Please know you all are in our thoughts and prayers. God Bless, Anna Mae Nastasi Miller
- Anna mae Nastasi Miller, Paso Robles,, CA
Please accept our heartfelt sympathy to your entire family.May God comfort you in these difficult times.
- Carol and Joe Douglas and Family, Savannah, GA
Dear Russo Family, You are in our thoughts and prayers during this time of loss. We pray for you to have peace, knowing that Mr. Russo lived a long and full life.
- Debbie and Robert Brown, Moultrie, GA
MY DEEPEST SYMPOTHY GOES OUT TO YOUR ENTIRE FAMALY.
- STEVEN RASCHKE, SAVANNAH, GA
On his seafood buying trips to McIntosh County, Mr. Russo brought integrity, business acuity, and weekly jokes. Deepest condolences to his family at the loss of this fine gentleman.
- Barbara Haas, Savannah, GA
We are so sorry to hear of Charlie Sr.'s passing. I remember him from the days when we lived on 40th street. He was always full of fun and jokes. I know how much you will miss him. You are being upheld in our prayers.
- Charlotte and Giles Bowers, Richmond Hill, GA
To the Russo family, please accept my heartfelt condolences on the passing of Mr. Russo. May God comfort you all.
- Mary Grundy, SAVANNAH, GA
I'm glad I had the chance to know Charlie and that he lived a long, and prosperous life. I can only hope that some of those strong Russo genes a quarter of which flow in my veins give me at least as many years. He was a good man, and good husband, a good father, and an honorable citizen. Randall Barry his sister Delina's grandson
- Randall Barry, Arlington, VA
GRANT,O LORD ,THAT MY HEART FELT SYMPATHY IS PASSED THROUGH MY PRAYERS FOR YOUR FAMILY AT THIS TIME OF BEREAVEMENT.I KNEW MR.CHARLES WELL AND ALWAYS AND THE UPMOST RESPECT FOR HIM,HE WILL BE SADLY MISSED BY EVERYONE WHO KNEW HIM.
- MICHAEL.J.COUNIHAN, SAVANNAH, GA
Please accept my sincere condolences, I know my father always looked forward to seeing your Dad when he was in Savannah.
- Ida Salvi Sciullo, Vandergrift, PA
My college memories with Sarah at UGA remind me of Mr. Russo and his fun smile. Sending you my love and prayers. Fondly, Lisa
- Lisa Harris Graham, Branford, CT
Charlie will be missed by everyone. We send our love and are thinking of you during this difficult time. With deepest sympathy, The Boondry family.
- Arthur & Veda Boondry, Savannah, GA
Our deepest sympathy go out to all the Russo family. You are in our hearts and in our prayers. You were blessed to have had your father, grandfather and friend for a good part of your lives. He will be deeply missed. He blessed you in so many ways. God bless you all. Love, Sarah B. and William Thomas
- Sarah & Billy Thomas, Richmond Hill, GA
Services under the direction of:
Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel
912-352-7200
