Anthony James Russo II
June 17, 1965 - May 12, 2019
“So many adventures couldn’t happen today/So many songs we forgot to play/So many dreams swinging out of the blue/Oh let them come true/Forever young/I want to be forever young/Do you really want to live forever/Forever, and ever…”
Tony was born in Salt Lake City, Utah on June 17, 1965 to Anthony James Russo I and Joyce Van Ausdal. He passed away on May 12, 2019 after a long struggle with addiction and mental health conditions. He grew up in a large family and was raised by a village of people who loved him dearly. He attended Our Lady of Lourdes and Judge Memorial Catholic Schools. He graduated from Granger High School. He attended Salt Lake Community College for a period of time before dedicating much of his life to volunteering for various organizations. He was passionate about contributing to the LGBTQ+ community. He held various positions in the The Royal Court of the Golden Spike Empire, the oldest LGBTQ+ Organization in Utah.
He wrote in his last wishes, “I was a good man who loved life, but didn't always know how to live it. I tried to be a selfless man who just wanted to make people laugh and make a difference in the world.” He did just that.
He loved working with his hands; whether it be building intricate parade floats, remodeling houses for his family and friends, or collecting and repairing broken furniture and appliances for people in need. He enjoyed traveling. He was adventurous, courageous, empathetic, creative, meticulous, and pure at heart. He was no stranger to anyone. He brought laughter to everyone with his powerful voice and boisterous personality. He felt one of his biggest accomplishments in life was being “Uncle Tony.” Tony was recently able to fulfill a long time goal of skydiving and did so fearlessly.
Tony was preceded in death by his grandfather and grandmother, Alfonso “Jim” and Mildred “Millie” Russo. His father, Anthony “Big Tony” and step-mother, Marie Russo. His beloved siblings Tammy and Louie. His uncles: John, David, and Michael Russo, and his aunt Jacqueline “Jackie” Russo-Martinez.
He is survived by his sisters: Debbie (Gene) Russo-Evans, Kristine (Jason) Russo-Teeguarden, and Michelle Russo. His aunts: Susie Russo-Beynon and Susan Russo-Smith. Many nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and his best friend of over 35 years, Kent Larson.
We will all cherish the memories too numerous to count and find comfort in knowing you are free. You now have a resting place where you belong. You are now truly—forever young.
A graveside service will take place at Mount Calvary Catholic Cemetery, 275 U Street in Salt Lake City on June 7th at 2:00 PM with a Wake to follow at the Ben G. Russo Post, 2920 S. Highland Drive in Salt Lake City, from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM.
Memorial donations may be made to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention in Tony’s name at the following link:
https://afsp.donordrive.com/campaign/Donate-in-Memory-of-Tony-Russo
In Loving Memory
You are very loved and will be missed.
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My dearest baby brother. This is the third post I have wrote to you and they dont post. I wanted to let you know that YOU MATTERED. Your life touched the life of so many people. It is hard for me to accept the fact that you are gone, gone from my sight. I am so sorry that I missed the signs, the signs of your illness because, as usual, you were focused on getting me better. You would cheer me on through each day and you told me I was going to get better because I still had work to do. I didnt realize that I should have been trying to help you. We are all so broken, bleeding, and we will never be the same again. I have to find comfort in knowing that you are not suffering, you are not battling anymore, your body and mind are at peace. We are all so hurt and broken but we will gladly take all of this pain so that you can fly free and you shall suffer no more. No more tears shall fall down your face, no more disappointments shall you feel. You always said the one good thing you were good at was being UNCLE Tony and you were so good at that but you were good at helping everyone. You taught my children so many things from painting to putting in flooring, but the greatest thing you taught them was unconditional love. You always seen the best in people. Our love is so bright, brighter than the milky way. Let our love guide your way as you continue on your journey. You took the best of me with you and I am broken but I will gladly accept the pain of losing you for you to fly high and be out of pain. I am taking the sufferings of our family and putting them at the foot of the cross where Our God will help us through this immeasureable loss. I love you always and forever baby brother. I hope you are spending time with our sister and brother and I hope you are holding my grandson on your lap. I love you always and forever and one sweet day we will be reunited again. You would be so proud of how your nieces and nephews are honoring your memory. You touched all of us and we are forever grateful that we were blessed to have you in our lifes. Love always, your sister Debbie
To the Russo Family, My deepest condolences to all of you. Keeping all of you in my thoughts and prayers. I have many fond memories of Tony from Lourdes and Judge. He was always funny and super sweet. I know he is greatly missed. Sending you all lots of love and hugs. May God be with at this time. May Tony rest in peace and may perpetual light shine upon him.
Uncle tony, I will always love you and miss you dearly. I want you to know you were the greatest uncle toe that you could be. You reminded me everytime we talked how beautiful, smart and intelligent I was. You always took the time to remind me that no matter what you would always love me. You stood in my corner till the very end. You always supported every goal and dream i ever had. It means the world to me that I was able to have you in my life as long as I did. Even though you are gone from this earth, you will forever live on in my heart. You taught me to always care for people, even if sometimes it seemed as if they didnt deserve it. You taught me that most of the time people who struggle are not bad people, they just need help! I know you are free now. Free from struggling, free from the thoughts other people had about you, free from this lifetime where you never got back the love you gave out! I am forever grateful for you Uncle Toe. Now its your time to fly with the angels. I love you very much!
Dear Tony, You are the best brother-in-law I ever had. You never judged me, you just accepted me for who I am. We had a very special, close relationship that I hold dear to my heart. You always told me how much you respected me and loved me. I have and will always respect and love you. We both struggled with the same issues. This is not goodbye, this is I will see you again. Much love - your brother Gene
I will always love you maybe I was in a sibling but I was the one that raised you with my mother I never fight with you I always loved you and did the best I could I hope you find peace in heaven until I get there know that you would left By all of us especially Michell who never lost sight of you I love you and I would walk your stairs 1000 times with my broken legs if I could find you at the top of them rest in peace aunt Susie
Tony, it has been 12 days since you transitioned from this world into Heaven's glorious realm. I thought it was going to get a little easier, but, instead, it is getting harder. I am trying to be happy for you but the pain is unbearable. I wait for your calls that will never come, I have had signs from you. I am amazed at the people that are helping me through this. Susie, Michelle, Cory, all my kids and so many more. There is no answer as to why. I know this is God's plan and the answers will be revealed when I join you. Give me strength to carry on and help my babies get through this. I know you are at peace and I pray that the Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit, along with Our Mother, the virgin Mary, will hold our fragile souls and shine down a perpetual, healing light to keep us safe while we are on this crazy, emotional roller coaster called grief. May you RIP. AMEN
I am so sorry to the Russo family for your loss, I know how very important family is and how much Tony was loved. My thoughts and prayers are with you all during this extremely difficult time. Love always, Lisa Lombardi Hassett
Tony Tony Tony My Best Friend for 35 years. Theirs not enough adjectives to describe you: Funny, always remembered so many Jokes Witty, Remembered so many Great lines from so many movies Talented, Nothing you couldn’t do always amazed me. Intelligent, Could ask you anything n you new the answer Dependable, Always there for me anytime any reason Strong, The things you could lift n move amazed me also mentally until your issues became unbearable for you. Temper, Oh my what a temper you could have if you felt something or someone wronged you. I’m Grateful we were so close n would often tease you never let me get on your bad side. You would Laugh n say oh Honey you know I love you more than my luggage A quote from a movie. Sensitive, Most of all, So Loving for all you cared for, Could be hurt so easily. Usually from a misunderstanding. It’s been said True Friends can go long periods of time without speaking and never question the Friendship, that would happen with us from time to time over the years and we would continue on like the time was never between us. To the Russo Family I’m so Grateful you accept me as Family and share our Grief together. I am so Lucky N Grateful to have been Loved like a Brother with such a Beautiful Soul for so many years. I will miss you Dearly n feel comfort you’ll always be watching over me and your Family. You are now at piece n Forever Young. Till we meet again My Dearest Friend.
Tony you are missed!! And we love you for enternity!! You are at peace!!
Dear brother, I am writing once again to you because as you know, aunt Susie is with you. You left us on mother's day and she, basically left us on Thanksgiving. Did you eat together, did you rejoice? Was papa sitting at the head of the table? I would say that those sitting at the table were: Papa, grandma, dad, uncle Mike, uncle John, uncle David, Louie, Tammy, baby David, sweet Nicholas, James, Gilbert, and a couple of others that I may have missed. I hope the celebration was great and I hope you held her hand so she wasn't afraid, I hope you tell her we love her and we miss her so much. I am so very happy for all of you very life will never be the same without you guys. Love, your sis, Debbie
My dearest Tony, In three days on the 12th, a year has passed. A whole year without you in it. I hope you are dancing in the sky. I hope you are pain free, both physically and mentally. I hope you Louie, and Tammy are enjoying your sibling bond. Hope you are taking care of aunt Susie, hard to believe she was here when you left and now she has passed too. Love and miss you all. Your sister, Debbie
I miss you. We talked a few days before you passed and I was so shocked to find out about your death on Facebook. So I wrote your dear friend and thanked him I even looked up your favorite singer when you passed and they responded back and I had a tour of there life somehow anyway I love the legacy you left all those beautiful people that no one else was able to meet . I love you cousin bigger than the sky and I do know you are in the sky and a big beautiful angel because God knew your heart ...love pizza
In Loving Memory
