Obituary of Robert O. Russano

Dr. Robert O. Russano, age 72, passed away on Saturday, April 12, 2014 at Chilton Medical Center, Pequannock Twsp. Dr. Russano was born August 18, 1941 in Brooklyn, NY the son of the late George and the late Helen (DeJoseph) Russano. He lived in Riverdale. Dr. Russano received a BA in Biology from NYU in 1961 and then NYU Dental School in 1965. Following graduation, he served with the US Army Dental Detachment from 1965-1967. Dr. Russano practiced in New York from1967-1970. He held the position of Associate Professor at New York University Dental School from 1968-1970 and was elected the Outstanding Teacher of the Year Award in 1970. Dr. Russano moved to New Jersey in 1973 and co-founded West Broadway Dental in Paterson and remained there until his retirement in 2004. Dr. Russano was a member Emeritus of the New Jersey Dental Association, American Dental Association and the Passaic County Dental Society. He served as Chairman of the Medical Utilization Committee (NJDA) and was a member of the State Board of Dentistry in 1978. Dr. Russano also received the United States Congressional Citation for his service to the Community of Paterson. He toured with the Professional Bowlers association from 1991-1993 and was elected to the Morris County Bowling Hall of Fame in 1991. He was an active member and coach of the Morris County Special Olympics. Dr. Russano was a member of the Coccia Foundation Board of Trustees and Finance Committee. He is survived by his Beloved wife: Marion, his dear children, Cristina and her husband Nigel Young, Bianca Russano and her fiance Sam, Gregory Russano and his wife Kendra, Jason Dzubera and his fiance Tracey, Dina and her husband Mark Nathan, Tricia and her husband Ronald Caruso and James Gavenas, His loving siblings; Twin brother Richard Russano and his sister, Barbara Hanning, his cherished grandchildren Tyler, Abbey and Trent Russano, Christopher, Cameron, Alexa, Nicholas and Haylee, nephews; Christopher, Peter, Richard, Michael, Rob and his niece; Gina. Visiting hours will be Tuesday from 2-4 & 6-9 PM. The funeral Mass will be Wednesday at 9:30 am at Our Lady of Consolation R.C. Church, 1799 Hamburg Tpke. Wayne and will be celebrated by Fr. Michael D. Lombardo. Interment will be in Christ the King Cemetery, Franklin Lakes. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations may be made to the American Cancer Society or Coccia Foundation, 23 Leswing Ave, Saddle Brook, NJ 07663