Raymond F. Russo

Waltham -- Mr. Raymond F. 'Red' Russo, of Waltham, died Tuesday, March 2, 2010 at Newton-Wellesley Hospital. He was 77.

Red was born in Waltham on June 23, 1932, a son of the late Peter and Assunta (Bennici) Russo, and had been a lifelong resident. He graduated from Waltham High School in 1951 and during the Korean War served with the United States Army. After that Red attended the University of Bridgeport and transferred to, and graduated from, Boston University.

Until his retirement he worked as a facilities manager for Digital Equipment Corporation in Maynard. Red also had a passion for golf and for being the proud 'Papa Red' to his six grandchildren.

Red leaves his wife of fifty-two years, Phyllis J. (Cullen) Russo; his children, Raymond F. Russo, Jr. and his wife, Jamie, of Nashua, New Hampshire, Elizabeth J. Fairweather and her husband, Jim, of Maynard and David S. Russo of Charleston, West Virginia; his grandchildren, Justine and Jason Russo, Matthew, Amanda and Danielle Fairweather and Nicholas Russo; his sisters, Carmela 'Nellie' Marcantonio, Mary Verducci, both of Burlington and Jean Corr of Lexington and many nieces and nephews.

He was also a brother of the late James Russo.

Family and friends will honor and remember Red's life by gathering for calling hours in The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street (Rte. 20), Waltham on Friday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. and again at 9 a.m. on Saturday morning before leaving in procession to Sacred Heart Church, 311 River Street, Waltham where his Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Burial will follow in Mount Feake Cemetery, Waltham.

Memorial donations may be made to the American Heart Association, 20 Speen Street, Framingham, MA 01701.