Rev. Father Alfred Russo

Father Alfred E. Russo died in Stamford Hospital on December 13 after a short illness. He was 80 years old. He was born and raised in New Britain, receiving his sacraments at Saint Ann Parish. After graduation from New Britain High School he began his studies for the priesthood at the School of Saint Philip Neri in Boston, MA. He interrupted his studies to serve in the United States Army as a corporal from 1951-53. Returning home, he entered Our Lady of Mercy Seminary in Lenox, MA, and completed his theological studies at our Lady of Angels Seminary in Albany, NY. He was ordained by Bishop Walter W. Curtis in Saint Augustine Cathedral in Bridgeport on May 26, 1962. His first appointment was as parochial vicar of Saint Joseph Parish in Danbury. Father Russo held that appointment while teaching religion on the faculty of Immaculate High School in Danbury from 1962-63. He later served at Saint Philip Parish in Norwalk, Sacred Heart Parish in Greenwich, and Saint Gregory the Great Parish in Danbury. During this time he was named priest-advisor to the Juvenile Court in Danbury. A highlight of Father Russo's life was meeting Pope John Paul II in 1981. He was a member of the Priest's Council from 1978-80, and became Chaplain of the Knights of Columbus chapter in South Norwalk in 1988. In 1989, Father Russo was named temporary administrator of Saint Roch Parish in Greenwich. Following that appointment, he served at Saint Rose of Lima Parish in Newtown, Sacred Heart Parish in Stamford, and Saint Mary Parish in Ridgefield. In 1995, Father Russo became resident Chaplain at Saint Joseph's Manor in Trumbull. Throughout his priesthood Father Russo continued his studies, receiving a master's degree in pastoral counseling from Iona College in New Rochelle, NY, and pursuing a doctoral degree at Saint Mary Seminary University in Baltimore, MD. He retired to the Catherine Dennis Keefe Queen of Clergy Residence in 2007. Surviving are several nieces and nephews including Edward Balicheski of Maryland, Rosalind Marshall of Plainville, Leona Scaringo of Florida, Kathleen Roche of Newington, Susan Santa Maria of Burlington, Edward Brintle of Maine, and Kenneth Brintle of Bristol; and several grandnieces and grandnephews. He was predeceased by two brothers, Charles Russo, Joseph Russo, and three sisters, Susan Balicheski, Elizabeth Russo, and Josephine Brintle. Father Russo will be received into Saint Bridget of Ireland Church in Stamford on Friday at 5:00 PM. A parish Mass will be celebrated by Bishop Lori that evening at 7:00 PM. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated for Father Russo at Saint Ann's Church in New Britain on Saturday morning at 11:30 AM with the Vicar of Clergy, Monsignor Royal, as the principal celebrant. A period of visitation will be observed at Erickson-Hansen Funeral Home, 411 So. Main St., New Britain, on Saturday morning from 10 to 11 AM. Father Russo will be entombed in the Garden Mausoleum at St. Mary Cemetery, New Britain, with full Military Honors.