Santo Joseph Russo Jr.

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Santo Joseph Russo Jr., a cherished father, grandfather, brother, and friend. Santo left this world on April 15, 2026, just shy of his 65th birthday, after a courageous battle with pneumonia and pulmonary embolisms. Despite his immense strength and fighting spirit, Santo is now at peace. Born on April 23, 1961, in Passaic, NJ. Santo was the beloved son of Santo and Miriam Russo. He grew up surrounded by the love of his family, which instilled in him the values of compassion, resilience, and humor. All qualities that he carried with him throughout his life. Santo was a man who embraced life with open arms and a loving heart. An outdoors man, he found joy in the simple pleasures of nature, whether it was hiking through a lush forest or spending a sunny afternoon in the yard. Santo's love for sports was only rivaled by his passion for computers. A proud father, Santo treasured his daughter, Jennifer (Jenny) Russo, and was deeply proud of their growing close bond. He enjoyed their long conversations and took great joy in catching up with her on her daily life in Seattle. Jenny, along with her daughter Jada Johnson, held a special place in Santo's heart. His family expanded with the relationship of Jada and Mjracle Sheppard in 2020. Santo's life was enriched by his cherished sisters, Sandra Broskoskie and Kim Rizzo, and their families. His sister Sandra, along with her children Kenny, Heather, and Ashley Broskoskie, and her partner James Haley, shared memories with Santo. Kim and her husband, Ross Rizzo, along with their children Anthony and Amanda Rizzo, also held a special place in his life. Santo was a loving uncle to his many great nieces and nephews. In addition to his family, Santo was blessed with the enduring friendship of Tim and Mare Savage, who stood by him through life's many adventures. Santo’s love for life was matched only by his love for a cold can of Coke, a simple pleasure that brought a smile to his face. Though he has left this earthly realm, he remains forever in the hearts and memories of those who knew and loved him. In memory of Santo, his family invites those who wish to honor his life to consider a donation to assist with his cremation and travel arrangements. Contributions can be made at: GoFundMe. As we say goodbye to Santo, we take comfort in knowing that he lives on in the stories we share and the love we hold for him. His spirit will forever guide us, a gentle reminder of the beauty and strength.