In Memory

Anthony A ("Tony") Russo (Instrumental Music Teacher)

Anthony (Tony) Russo died on May 18, 2015 in Dearborn, Michigan at age 93.  He was one of Dearborn High School's finest....teacher, musician, orchestra director, band leader, and a top drawer guy in every respect. Dearborn High School has been fortunate to call you one of its own, Mr. Russo. You surely will be missed.

Picture Source:  1970 DHS Pioneer Yearbook

The following was posted on Facebook on May 20, 2015 by Tony Russo's nephew, Lenny Russo:

To our Dearborn Facebook Family,

Our Uncle, Tony Russo, passed away suddenly at home on 5/18/15. He was 93 years old and except for his arthritis, he was still quite vibrant at the end of his life. We wanted to tell you all that he always told us that his greatest passion and accomplishment in life was teaching his beloved students. Teaching music was his passion. However, not only did he want his students to become accomplished music readers and accomplished instrumentalists, but more importantly, he wanted to inspire them to become good citizens of the world. As he put it, he wanted them to become "ladies and gentlemen", study hard, work hard and treat everyone with respect. He even instilled those principles in us as we grew up. He had an active professional life as a musician outside of school and continued to play at functions well into his 80's. His last wishes were to have a private funeral with immediate family members only. He did not want to have a posting or a viewing. This was especially hard for us to accept because we knew how much his friends and students meant to him and vice versa. He wanted people to remember him as he was in life. He was buried today in a mausoleum at St. Hedwig Cemetery in Dearborn Heights. For those of you who would like to visit his grave, he is in Cpypt/Tier B/Row 19.

Sincerely,
The Family of Anthony Russo

 

Lenny Russo's photo.
 

 

Source:  DHS 1971 Pioneer Yearbook

 

Source:  DHS 1971 Pioneer Yearbook

 

DHS 1970 Pioneer Yearbook

 

Source:  DHJS 1969 Pioneer Yearbook

 

Craig Hamilton, Barbara Clark (Ziko), Rob Erb, former DHS band leader and orchestra director Tony Russo, and Stan Guinn. Picture source: Stan Guinn. [August 6, 2011 - DHS '71 40th Reunion at the Dearborn Country Club]

 

Former DHS band leader and orchestra director, Tony Russo, and Sue Ruof. Picture source: Susan Ruof. [August 6, 2011 - DHS '71 40th Reunion at the Dearborn Country Club]

 


Darcy Dean and former DHS band leader and orchestra director Tony Russo. Picture source: Stan Guinn. Adjusted time stamp: 9:48 pm [August 6, 2011 - DHS '71 40th Reunion at the Dearborn Country Club]

 



 
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11/25/15 10:21 PM #1    

John Garrett

 

Thanks so much for everything Tony.  

I am so fortunate to now be the care taker of one of your trombones.

The link below is 'I'm Getting Sentimental Over You' as played by Tommy Dorsey on Anthony Russo's 1952 Martin Commette gold plated horn with custom engraving.

Godspeed.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nBBWc5taH_8

 


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