Francesco (Frank) Russotto age 87 of East Stroudsburg passed away on Thursday, March 2, 2017 while under the care of Celtic Hospice in Wilkes Barre, Pa. He was born on January 27, 1930, in Cammarata, Sicily. He lived in Libya for several years as a child during WWII before returning to Sicily and served in the Italian Army at the age of 20 for two years.
Frank came to the United States in 1956 with one suitcase and the clothes on his back to live the American dream. He lived with his uncle in Jersey City, N.J., until marrying his wife Laura in 1959. He retired in 1993 after 36 years with Rhone Poulenc (Formerly Cleanese Polymers) in Clifton, N.J. Frank also was an electrician by trade and was an overall handyman. Frank and his wife moved to the Poconos to enjoy their retirement years. His passions were his family, gardening and wine making. He was a member of the Church of St. John the Apostle in East Stroudsburg where he was an usher at the 11:00am mass. He was a 4th. Degree Knight of Columbus Council #11935 Bushkill.
Frank was preceded in death by his parents Vincenza and Salvatore Russotto, and his younger sister, Maria Angela Braico. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Laura, his daughter Vivian and her husband Thomas Cotter, Sr., his grandchildren Jessica Gelbke, Matthew Gelbke, Thomas Cotter, Jr., Daniel Cotter, Jillian Cotter, and 3 great-grandchildren; his brother Nic Russotto of Grand Junction, CO; his sister Rosalie Cordero of Jersey City, NJ; his sister Vita Scrudato and Giuseppina Zafaglione both of Sicily; and Sorella Angela Russotto of Rome, Italy; along with many nieces and nephews and their children. Frank was a hardworking man with a heart of gold. Our loss is heaven’s gain.
There will be a visitation of Sunday March 5, 2017 from 2-7:00pm at the Joseph J. Pula Funeral Home Inc. 23 N. 9th.St.Stroudsburg, Pa. followed by a funeral mass of Christian burial to be celebrated on Monday March 6, 2017 with Fr. Greg Reichlen as celebrant at the Church of St. John the Apostle 5171 Milford Rd. E. Stroudsburg, Pa. Entombment will be in the Mountainview Mausoleum at Prospect Cemetery. E. Stroudsburg, Pa.
Memorial donations can be made to the Church of St. John the Apostle.
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