David T. Russi

David Thomas “Coach” Russi Sr. passed peacefully of natural causes with family by his side on December 11, 2021. David was born on June 27th 1931, in Sanford, Florida to Albertina and Joseph Anthony Russi. He attended Seminole High School. David’s first love was baseball, and as a child he was a batboy for the New York Giants during their spring trainings in Sanford. Later in his life, David donated memorabilia from his time with the Giants to the Sanford Museum. David attended Piedmont College in Demorest, Georgia on a baseball scholarship and was inducted into their Sport’s Hall of Fame.

He met his beloved wife Edra (Withrow) while at Piedmont, and after graduating they decided to return to Sanford to raise their family. David furthered his education at Stetson University in Deland, Florida and went on to earn a Master’s degree from Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. David then worked for the Orlando Sentinel before moving to a career in education. He taught at Hopper Elementary School in Sanford before going on to become a physical education coach at Lakeview Middle School in Sanford. He retired from teaching as a physical education coach at Greenwood Lakes Middle School in Lake Mary.

The most important things in David’s life were his faith and his family. He was a parishioner of All Souls Catholic Church in Sanford, FL for his whole life, and instilled a strong sense of faith in his children. David was a supporting and loving father, grandfather, and great grandfather, and was generous to all who knew him. He was a passionate fan of the Florida Gator football team, and was committed to health and fitness his whole life.

David is survived by his brothers, John (Margie), Tallahassee, Ronnie (Brenda),Deltona, Henry (Karen), De Leon Springs and sister Cecelia Bryant (Jerry); Sanford; his three children: Mark (Cheryl), Lake Mary, FL; Sharon Bateman (Chris), Sanford; and Terry (Ruth), Jacksonville, and daughter-in-law Stephanie Russi, Sanford. He had nine grandchildren: Jennifer, Holly, Anne, Jessica, Sara, Jared, Jason, Christopher and Kelli; and three great grandchildren: John, Ari, and Jules, and numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his wife Edra Withrow Russi, son David Thomas Russi Jr., parents Joseph Anthony Russi and Albertina Russi, brothers Anthony “Tony” Russi, Joseph Francis Russi, and sister Rose Marie Tucker.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Baldwin Fairchild in Sanford, FL. A public visitation will be held on Sunday, December 19, 2021 from 11:00am to 12:00pm. A funeral service will be held on Sunday at 12:00pm noon, with a graveside service to follow at 1:00pm at Oaklawn Cemetery in Sanford, FL.