Henry "Hank" Russo, retired fire chief in the City of
Farrell, of 1315 Union St. Extension, Farrell, died at 8:21 a.m. Wednesday (12-7-05) in his residence after an extended illness. He was 83.

Mr. Russo was born May 28, 1922, in Farrell to Peter
Russo Sr. and Tomasina DeCapua Russo.

A wellknown Farrell High athlete, Hank played football under
two great coaches, LeRoy "Hank" Day and Tony Paulekas. His team was the only undefeated team in the history of the school. The 1940 team went 9-0-0. He also played second base for local baseball teams. Upon graduation from high school in 1940, he was awarded a four-year football scholarship to Duquesne University, Pittsburgh. He played right guard during the 1941 season but was soon drafted into the Army. He was elected into Mercer County Sports Hall of Fame in January 1987. Proud of his service to his
country, Hank served as a forward observer with both the
1st and 99th Infantry divisions, 372nd Field Artillery. He
fought in the Battle of the Bulge and was awarded the
Bronze Star for valor. Among his other medals were the
American Campaign Medal, World War II Victory Medal
and the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal
with three Bronze Stars, having achieved a rank of sergeant.

Hank joined the Farrell Fire Department in 1951 and retired in 1984 after 33 years of service. He served as its chief for 25 years. He was a life member of Our Lady of Fatima Church, Farrell.

He was a member of the Farrell Boosters Club, having
served as its president for 25 years; the Farrell Volunteer
Fire Department; the ItalianmHome Social Club; the
Christopher Columbus Society; and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5286, all Farrell.

His wife, the former Enis M. Pilone, whom he married May 4, 1946, survives him at home.

Also surviving are a son, Henry J. Russo, District Judge
for Farrell-Hermitage, Farrell; and three daughters, Mary
Ann Mastrian and her husband Dan, Bel Air, Md.; Patricia
Stacklin and her husband Tom, Hinton, W.Va.; and Jeanie Russo, Sharon.

He was the proud grandfather of Stacey Lynn Mastrian, College Park, Md.; Dan Mastrian Jr., Redmond, Wash.; and Annie Stacklin, Charleston, W.Va. Also a very special person in his life was his sister-in-law, Mary Pilone,
Farrell.

He was preceded in death by his parents; seven brothers,
Peter Russo Jr., Dominic, Albert, Anthony, Rocco, Neal
and James Russo; and three sisters, Victoria Chieffo, Jennie
Demidovich and Nancy Ciccone.

The family requests memorial contributions be made in
Hank's memory to Our Lady of Fatima Church, 601 Roemer
Blvd., Farrell 16121; or Animal Appeal, Box 197,
Sharpsville 16150.

RUSSO
Henry "Hank," 83, of 1315 Union St. Extension, Farrell.
Calling hours: 2 to 7 p.m. Sunday (2-11-05) in A.E. PUSTINGER FUNERAL HOME Ltd., 1310 Idaho St., Farrell.
Condolences may be e-mailed to [email protected]
Service: Funeral Mass at 10:30 a.m. Monday (12-12-05) in Our Lady of Fatima Church, Farrell, with the Rev. Donald E. Berdis, pastor, as celebrant.

Burial: St. Anthony's Cemetery, Hermitage, with military honors rendered by the Honor Guard of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5286, Farrell.