Andrew F. Russo Jr.
November 24, 1941 – March 27, 2024
Andrew “Andy” F. Russo Jr., 82, of Tavares, Fla and Kenilworth, N.J. passed away after a lengthy illness on March 27, 2024. Andy was born and raised in Red Bank and spent most of his life in New Jersey.
Andy, the son of Andrew and Mary (Saggese) Russo, attended and graduated from Red Bank High School. After graduation he enlisted in the United States Navy where he served two tours as a Navy Hospital Corpsman, including time on the USS Oriskany during the Cuban Missile crisis in 1962. His tours took him to Guam, Japan, Hawaii, and various ports, the last being in St. Albans, New York before his honorable discharge. Most of Andy’s life was driving long-distance as a trucker. He worked in the family business, American Movers and Saggese Moving, as well as for C.B. Finkle Trucking; and others as an independent owner-operator. He won the Driver of the Year award in 2000 from the New Jersey Warehouseman & Movers Association. He made many friends throughout his travels, he had a quick wit, loved all sports and could name race-car drivers or jockeys, but his first love was to join his friends at Brothers’ Restaurant in Red Bank for “soup de pesce”. His years in Monmouth County included good times in the Blue Diamond, Monmouth Park, and Italian restaurants. His last years were with his adopted family and friends at The Somerset in Tavares, Florida.
Andy was predeceased by his parents and his wife of 25 years, Diane Carlyle Russo. He is survived by his sons, Andrew David, of Georgia; Anthony Siciliano of Toms River; Paul Siciliano of Jersey City, and his daughter, Denise Dawn McCarthy of Florida. His brother Robert and sister-in-law Joyce Russo of Red Bank; his sister, Mary Lou Antinozzi of Sarasota; sister Susan and brother-in-law Edward Klimas of Waretown/Fort Meyers and sister-in-law, Donna Carlyle, Kenilworth, N.J. He is also survived by many grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. Andy will be remembered by his many cousins and friends, in New Jersey and Florida, for his great smile, his knowledge and love of music, especially rock and roll oldies.
A tree will be planted in the National Forest Service in his memory. A memorial service for friends and family will be planned for a later date to celebrate a life well lived. If you would like to make a donation in his name, just help out a friend, or donate to a family in need. Say it’s from Andy, or say it’s to honor a friend because giving an anonymous gift is a good deed that can help keep your friend’s memory alive.
