Vincenzo Vinnie Russo

Vincenzo ""Vinnie"" Russo, 84, of Wethersfield, beloved husband for 59 years of Concetta (Annino) Russo, passed away peacefully on Wednesday (July 11, 2012) with his family by his side. Born on January 10, 1928 in Melilli, Sicily, Italy he was the son of the late Giovanni and Anna (Lagana) Russo. He was a longtime member of St. Sebastian Church in Middletown, as well as a member of the Italian Society of Middletown. As a young a man, he served as a sergeant in the Italian Army. First and foremost, Vinnie loved spending time with his family and was a loving husband, father and grandfather. His greatest joy was when he was with his family and he was especially proud of his grandchildren. He leaves behind his wife, Concetta and sons John Russo and his wife Tonja of Hebron and Sebastian Russo and his wife Kelle of Suwanee, GA; his six precious grandchildren, Zachary, Jacob, Claire, Gabrielle, Nicole and Matthew; his brother, Salvatore Russo and his wife Nella, his sisters Maria Russo and Albina Salafia and her husband Santo, all of Middletown, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his treasured granddaughter, Alyssa Mary. Family being his first love, a close second was his love of his trade as a professional cobbler, a skill he learned as a young boy in Sicily. He owned and operated Vinnie's Shoe Repair on Maple Avenue in the south end of Hartford for over 40 years, working relentlessly to preserve the lost art of professional shoe making and repair. He was a beloved fixture in the community and spent countless hours being a friend and listener to many. He often spoke fondly of his time spent in the shoe shop and it was a sad day when he retired in 2008 at the age of 80. So many friends and acquaintances missed his banter when his doors closed. He was an iconic figure in Hartford's south end and was part of the fabric that made the neighborhood an extraordinary place to live and work in.

Funeral services will be Monday beginning at 9:15 a.m. at the D'Esopo Funeral Chapel, 277 Folly Brook Blvd., Wethersfield followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. at Corpus Christi Church, 601 Silas Deane Hwy., Wethersfield. Burial will be in Cedar Hill Cemetery, Hartford. Family and friends may call on Sunday from 4-7 p.m. at the funeral chapel. Donations in Vincenzo's memory may be made to Cherish the Children Foundation, PO Box 128, Glastonbury, CT 06033. For online expressions of sympathy to the family, please visit www.desopo.com.