SALEM – Mr. David Russo died on Saturday, September 18, 2021 at his home in Salem, MA of leukemia.

David Allen Russo was born on January 5, 1938 in New Haven, Connecticut to Pasquale Russo and Jean Solevo Russo. David went to school in New Haven and Lima, Peru. While living in Peru he became fluent in Spanish. He attended acting school in New York City until he was drafted into the United States Army. David's most memorable assignment, and a pivotal moment in the U.S. Civil Rights movement, was guarding James Meredith, the first black student to enroll at the University of Mississippi.

Following his discharge from the army, he obtained a Bachelor's Degree in Social Work and later a Master's Degree of Social Work from the University of Connecticut.

He worked in a variety of human service jobs before finding his true place to serve when he became the counselor for the Hispanic students and their families in the Salem Public School System, where he worked advocating for them until his retirement.

Following his retirement he joined FEMA and worked throughout the country assisting families whose lives were impacted by disasters.

David was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother and uncle as well as an accomplished photographer, musician, athlete and, yes, …a Yankees fan. He enjoyed political and social commentary, traveling and slasher movies.

David is survived by his wife, Patricia, and daughter, Courtney, and her husband Kevin Kramer and their children Sam and Ben from Carmel, Ca. He is also survived by his son, Luke Russo, of Mystic CT and his children. Also surviving family members include: his twin brother, Patrick Russo, and his wife Robin from Bradford VT and their children David, Neysa and Timon and their families and his sister, Linda Agostino and his brother, Oscar Miro Quesada , both of Florida and their families.

ARRANGEMENTS: The family will hold a memorial service at a later date. In the interim local friends are invited to join David's former students on Sunday morning, Oct 3rd at 10 A.M. at Mary Jane Lee Park, Palmer St., Salem in the Point to celebrate his life. Assisting the family with the arrangements is O'Donnell Cremations – Funerals – Celebrations, 84 Washington Sq., (at Salem Common) Salem. To share a memory or offer a condolence, please visit www.odonnellfuneralservice.com