Joseph Anthony Russo

Joseph Anthony Russo, age 65, of Cedar Knolls, NJ, passed away surrounded by his loving family after a long, courageous battle with cancer on Tuesday, July 31, 2012. Born on October 15, 1946 in the Bronx, NY, he spent 28 years in Cedar Knolls, NJ. Prior to living in Cedar Knolls he resided in Rockland County, NY.

Mr. Russo was a managing director with Tishman Speyer in its Equity Capital Markets Group in New York City, retiring in 2007. Before joining Tishman Speyer, he was a managing principle at Westbrook Partners, where he was responsible for investor relations. Prior to that, he was the head of the real estate division at AT&T, where he oversaw investment management in the AT&T Pension Plan’s $4.5 billion real estate portfolio. His profession took him all over the world. Although he had an accomplished professional life, he never forgot and was proud of his modest roots in the Bronx. Mr. Russo graduated from Fordham University with a Bachelor of Science in Economics and received his MBA in Finance from NYU Stern School of Business. He was an avid golfer and loved coaching his sons’ basketball, baseball and football teams. His family was his pride and joy. This is what was most important to him. He was a great provider and role model. He served as an inspiration to his family and his friends. As the epitome of excellent health, his illness came as a shock to those around him. Being the great communicator he was, Joe put everyone at ease about what had happened to him. He never complained or asked, “Why me?” He even helped mentor people who were battling the same disease as he. Joe Russo was a man who believed our lives are not measured by the number of years lived, but by the deeds and goals accomplished. He truly lived a fulfilling and rewarding life.

He is predeceased by his beloved parents, Anthony and Stella Russo. He survived by his best friend and loving wife, Linda Collins Russo, devoted twin sons, Christopher and Michael Russo, dear brother of Frank and his wife Anne Russo and his sister Lucille and her husband Joseph Bussetti of Garnerville, NY, brother-in-law Thomas and his wife Linda Collins of Liverpool, NY, sister-in-law Lee Kent of PA, and sister-in-law Susan Sweeney of MA. Joseph is also survived by many living nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Many of these cherished friends he has carried with him since his childhood in the Bronx. He will always be loved and remembered by those who knew him and even those whose lives he touched in some way. A funeral service will be held at the Gate of Heaven Chapel Mausoleum, 225 Ridgedale Ave., East Hanover on Friday, August 3, at 12 noon. The family will receive their friends at the Quinn-Hopping Funeral Home of Livingston, 145 E. Mt. Pleasant Ave., on Thursday, August 2 from 4-8 PM.