Robert A. Russo

Robert Angelo Russo, 92 of Melrose Massachusetts, passed away peacefully in Melrose, MA on Tuesday, January 16, 2024.

Born in Medford, MA on September 15, 1931, he was the son of the late Angelo Russo Jr. and the late Lena (Volpe) Russo.  Robert grew up in Malden, MA and graduated from Tilton Preparatory School in Tilton, New Hampshire. In 1952 after completing two years as an undergraduate at Tufts University Robert enlisted in the Army and served his country for three years as Radio Intercept Operator. He completed his service stationed on the island of Okinawa during the Korean war, attaining the rank of sergeant upon his honorable discharge. From 1955 to 1959 Robert attended Northeastern University (Evening Division) studying Business Management. In 1959 Robert was accepted by Boston University Law school without fully completing his undergraduate degree at Northeastern.  He was admitted to law school based on candidates who possess “outstanding scholastic undergraduate record on three-quarters of the work required for a bachelor’s degree”. Robert completed law school in 1962 receiving his LL.B degree in law from Boston University law school.

Robert’s career in the banking industry began in 1963 as a Federal Trust Officer in the US Treasury Department. In 1967 Robert was employed as a Trust Officer and Vice President at the First National Bank of Malden, and remained in this position (from 1982 to 1996) through merger transitions from Malden Trust Company to Eastern Bank and Trust Co.

Robert worked as a self-employed Consultant in the later stages of his career from 1997 to the present. Robert’s hobbies included reading, woodworking, fishing, boating and tennis. He was fortunate to spend many years of his youth at the family home located on the Annisquam River in Gloucester MA. He enjoyed summer on the ocean hauling lobster traps, fishing with his Dad while learning the craft of boating and sailing which was one of his greatest joys in life.  Robert was also proud of the well-known family business called “Russo’s Candies” previously located on Route One in Saugus from 1954 to approximately 1970.

In January 1963 Robert married Anna V. (Giannantonio) Russo of Malden. They were married for 60 years. They have three children: Kimberly A. Russo of North Reading, Cristina M. Russo of Danvers and Deborah J. Russo of Pasadena CA. Robert’s pride and joy were his five loving grandchildren, Aidan and Jack Sullivan, Sarah and Jamie Royka and Henry Frizzell. He is also survived by his three nephews Michael, Steven and Joel Arcieri, his niece Pamela Avery of Campton NH and his sister-in-law Vera Arcieri of Milton. He was preceded in death by his brother-in-law and confidant, the late Dr. Alfred F. Arcieri of Milton.  Robert had a loving relationship with his surviving twin sister, Barbara Giordano of Gaithersburg MD. He was the caring younger brother of the late Janet Russo and the late Dorothy (Russo) Kingsley of Malden.

Friends and relatives are invited to attend the interment ceremony at 12:00 noon on Friday, January 26, 2024. Located at Wyoming Cemetery 205 Sylvan Street Melrose, MA.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Robert’s name to the Alzheimer’s Association of Massachusetts. https://www.alz.org/professionals/public-health/state-overview/massachusetts