Russo, Rudolph “Rudy”

Rudolph B. “Rudy” Russo, age 84, of Wilmington, died on Monday, June 9, 2008, surrounded by his family, at Woodbriar of Wilmington, following a courageous battle with cancer.

Rudy was born on November 29, 1923, in Woburn, MA, he was the son of the late Angelo & Angelina (Aromando) Russo. Rudy grew up in Woburn and Burlington and was educated there. He was drafted into the United States Army on March 2, 1943, during World War II. Rudy was a Private First Class in the Infantry, he was the youngest in his unit and his fellow soldiers referred to him as “the kid”. Rudy was trained as a medic and was actively involved in the Battles in the Aleutians and the Phillipine Islands, he was also stationed in Burma and Australia, he was honorably discharged in 1946.

Following his return from the service, Rudy married Grace Horton in 1947, and they would have celebrated their 61st Anniversary on June 15th. They moved to Wilmington many years ago and raised their family. Prior to retirement, Rudy was employed as a Psyche Medic at the V.A. Hospital in Bedford for over 20 years and served as a Chief Stewart for his Medics Union. In his spare time, Rudy was an avid walker, he could be seen walking all over Wilmington every morning and was known as the “can-man”, he was a talented woodworker, grill-master, gardener, enjoyed his Santa's Workshop, and he will be remembered as a great husband, father, grandfather “Poppa”, great-grandfather and someone who loved people.

Rudy was the beloved husband of Grace M. (Horton) Russo of Wilmington, devoted father of James P. Russo, and Michael L. Russo & his wife Theresa all of Wilmington, Carol A. Baldwin & her husband Harvey of Greenfield, NH, Richard Russo & his wife Marlene of Dracut, Gary Russo of California, and Tracy A. Knickle & her husband Mark of Billerica, loving “Poppa” of Michelle, Eric, Danielle, Sheena, Tyler, Amanda, Alicia, Rebecca, Stephanie, Jake, Justin & Brendan, and great-grandchildren Isabella & Benjamin, dear brother of Angelo “Rico” Russo of Wilmington, Chris Russo of Sarasota, FL, Catherine Riga of Pepperell, Anna Lisacki of Woburn, and the late Anthony, Frederick, & Charles Russo, and Mary Wingert, Rudy is also survived by many nieces & nephews.

His funeral will be held from the Nichols Funeral Home, Inc., 187 Middlesex Ave. (Rte. 62), Wilmington on Friday, June 13th at 9:00 a.m. followed by a Funeral Mass at St. Thomas Church, 126 Middlesex Ave., Wilmington at 10:00 a.m. Interment Wildwood Cemetery, Wilmington. Visiting hours will be held on Thursday, June 12th from 4-8 p.m.

In lieu of flowers donations in Rudy's memory may be made to Hallmark Health Hospice, 178 Savin St., Malden, MA 02148, the Autism Society of America, 7910 Woodmont Ave., Suite 300, Bethesda, MD 20814-3067 or to the American Cancer Society, 30 Speen St., Framingham, MA 01701.

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