Obituary of Vincent Mario Russo

VINCENT MARIO RUSSO (Age 90)

On August 10, 2021 in Shreveport, Louisiana, Vincent Mario Russo of New York City passed away in his sleep.  Vince was born and raised in New York by Italian immigrant parents and was the third of four children.  He held multiple jobs throughout his youth such as a Good Humor ice cream truck driver and mail sorter at Grand Central Station while bartending at night.  He enjoyed playing stick ball with his neighborhood friends, and it was in one of these games that he took a ball to the nose that gave him a crook for the rest of his life. 

After graduating from Fordham University, Vince was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the Army.  He held multiple positions across the globe, serving during the Korean and Vietnam Wars. While stationed in Germany in 1957, he met his future wife, Reeta Smith.  They married in 1965, as Vince would often joke “After a short courtship,” and proceeded to have three sons.  Together they traveled the world, living in Germany, Italy and multiple places throughout the US.  Vince was extremely devoted to the Army, and therefore rose to the rank of Lieutenant General while serving over thirty-six years on active duty.  His final assignment was as the Director of the Defense Logistics Agency and was later admitted to the Logistics Hall of Fame.

Among his decorations were the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit and Joint Services Commendation Medal.  After retiring from the Army in 1988, he consulted with multiple firms.  He was a wonderful husband, father, son, brother, friend and mentor. 

He is survived by his sister Annemarie; sons Brian, Mark and Nicholas; daughters-in-law Lisa, Laura and Jessica; grandchildren Nicky, Jacob, Toby, Christopher, Michael, Luke, Magdeline and Mariana; and granddaughters-in-law, Lela and Kayla.  Family and friends are invited to a funeral mass at Our Lady of Lourdes in Arlington, VA on December 2, 2021 at 8:45 am. 

Burial with Full Military Honors will follow at Arlington National Cemetery at 11:00 am (gathering at the ANC Administration Building at 10:15 am).  A Celebration of Life will be held at 12:15 pm at the Fort Myers Officer’s Club.  All are welcome to any/all of the events on December 2, 2021.