Ralph A. And Della P. (Miele) Russo Sr.

Ralph and Del Russo passed away six days apart from natural causes, Ralph on February 4th, 2022 and Del on February 10th, 2022. Both Ralph and Del were born to Italian immigrants. Ralph was born on July 25th, 1924 to David E. Russo and Elvira (Petrilli) Russo. Del was born on April 8th, 1925 to Vito Miele and Maria Assunta (Notte) Miele. Both grew up on Corey Ave. in Braddock, PA and began dating in high school. Ralph played football for Braddock High and Del played clarinet in the band. They married on June 16th, 1947 after Ralph returned from his army service in World War II. Both shared their love of faith, family and friends. They were incredible grandparents to 12 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren. They always took great interest in their activities and achievements in life and maintained frequent contact with them. They also shared the love of golf and travel with each other. Both had a keen interest in helping others through volunteerism. They were very active in their church and donated much time to the St. Vincent DePaul Society of Homosassa, FL. While in Chicago, Del volunteered at a soup kitchen in downtown Chicago and had the experience of working alongside of Mother Teresa. She often stated that was the experience of a lifetime. Throughout the years she also had numerous other volunteer activities. At age 75 Del took up a new hobby of abstract oil painting and she became quite good. She sold quite a few of her paintings from Alaska to Australia but mostly she decorated her house with them and gave them to her children and grandchildren. Del was an incredible cook of Italian cuisine for which she was well known among her family and friends. She held cooking classes for her children and grandchildren and the tradition will carry on. Ralph had a successful business career retiring from Chamberlain Manufacturing in Chicago as VP of Marketing. When Ralph retired, they moved to Homosassa, FL where they lived for 30 years. Shortly after they moved Ralph laid plans to start a SCORE chapter of Citrus County, FL and he was the founder and inspiration of the organization. He was with SCORE for 16 years, and served four consecutive years as chairman. Under Ralph’s leadership and with the assistance of Del and many volunteers the Citrus County Chapter received national recognition along with Chicago and San Diego as the best SCORE chapters in America. SCORE is an all-volunteer organization made up of retired business executives who donate their time and executive experience to assist Citrus County entrepreneurs and business owners at no cost to the businesses. The executives help private companies navigate through the complexities of starting up and growing a business. Ralph and Del are survived by two children, Robert (Nohemi) Russo, and Vera (James) Carlson; and daughter-in-law, Laurie Russo. They are preceded in death by two children, Ralph A. Russo Jr and John David Russo; by Ralph’s 9 brothers and sisters; and Del’s 5 brothers and sisters. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, February 18, 2022 at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church, 120 Nashotah Road in Nashotah, WI with a visitation one hour prior to the service at church. Burial services will be the following week in Pittsburgh, PA, on Wednesday, February 23, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. in the chapel at All Saints Catholic Cemetery, 1560 Brinton Road in Pittsburgh, PA. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Del and Ralph’s name to St. Vincent DePaul Society, in care of St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church Conference, 7040 S. Suncoast Blvd., Homosassa, FL 34446.