John Russo

John F . Russo , age 74 of Wakefield, on October 20, 2013 at Woburn Nursing Center, Woburn, MA of complications from chronic illness.

John was born on February 8, 1939 in Winchester, the youngest child of the late Mary (Marino) Russo and Bruno Russo . John was predeceased by brothers Dominic (of California) and Joseph (of Florida), and sisters, Betty Owens (formerly of Woburn and Florida) and Isabelle Luciano, of Woburn.

Captain of the Sachems football team, John graduated from Winchester High in 1957 before serving in the Army Reserves, where he was honorably discharged in 1967 as SGT E-5 of the Battery B, 5th Battalion, 5th Artillery out of Roslindale, MA.

John was self-employed as an independent distributor of Hood Dairy products for over twenty-five years before becoming a night supervisor in the Environmental Services department at Winchester Hospital up until his retirement in 2008.

A resident of Wakefield and communicant of St. Joseph's Church since 1963, John enjoyed repairing small engines, which he did out of his garage for several years, rebuilding lawn mowers and snow blowers for family and friends. An avid sports fan, Mr. Russo began studying the game of soccer, which had become hugely popular in the late 1980s. After learning the fundamentals of the game from reading public library books, and after becoming a FIFA certified referee and youth coach, John teamed up with London native and late Wakefield resident, Tony Rowing to coach numerous WYS teams over the years, eventually coaching several Nazareth Academy girls' teams until their coaching retirement. John's hobbies included watching old Westerns, building model cars, watching his grandsons play high school sports, and mastering solitaire on the iPad.

John is survived by his wife of 50 years, Jadwiga "Vega" (Jurczak) Russo , his daughters Susan Russo Rogers (and son-in-law Steven Rogers) of Wilmington, MA and Lisa Russo Barber (and son-in-law David Barber) of Sugar Land, Texas and a son, John D. Russo (and daughter-in-law Rachel Stapanon Russo ) of Wakefield, MA. John was especially devoted to his three grandchildren, Caleb J. Rogers, 21 and Jacob B. Rogers, 18 of Wilmington, and his little "princess", Mia Elaine Russo , 5 of Wakefield.

His funeral will be held from the McDonald Funeral Home, 19 Yale Ave, Wakefield on Saturday at 10 am followed by a funeral mass in St. Joseph Church, 173 Albion St. Wakefield at 11 o'clock. A visitation for relatives and friends will be held at the funeral home on Friday from 4-8 pm.

Read John Russo's Obituary and Guestbook on www.mcdonaldfs.com.

Visitation

McDonald Funeral Home
19 Yale Ave.
Wakefield , MA US 01880
Friday, October 25, 2013, 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Service

St. Joseph Church
173 Albion Street
Wakefield , MA US 01880
Saturday, October 26, 2013, 11:00 AM