Obituary of Lawrence J. Russo, Sr.

Lawrence J. Russo, Sr. passed away on February 23, 2026. He was 92 years old.

Born in Peapack, NJ, to parents Generoso and Anna (Salegna) Russo, Lawrence was a lifelong resident of the Peapack-Gladstone area. Lawrence met the love of his life Dorothea (Masler) Russo and the two wed on February 5, 1955. They moved to Gladstone in 1961 to raise their family and grow a successful plumbing business.  He was a man of faith and was a parishioner of St. Brigid Church for many years.

Lawrence served his community proudly with the Peapack-Gladstone Fire Company for 56 years and was Chief of the department from 1974 to 1975. He also worked for his father’s company, Gen Russo Plumbing and Heating, for 56 years. Lawrence was an avid boater and devoted family man. His greatest joy was taking his children and grandchildren boating and fishing on lake Wallenpaupack. 

Lawrence is predeceased by his loving wife of 68 years, Dorothea G. Russo and his oldest son Lawrence Russo Jr, he is survived by his sons Eugene (Debby) Russo and Joseph (Jill) Russo, daughters Lee Ann Russo and Linda (Paul) Kiss, 14 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren.

Visitation will be held from 4-8pm on Friday, February 27th at Bailey Funeral Home, 176 Main Street, Peapack.  A funeral mass will be celebrated at 10:30am on Saturday, February 28th at St. Brigid Church, 129 Main Street, Peapack.  Interment to follow at Holy Cross Cemetery in Basking Ridge. In lieu of flowers donations in Lawrence’s memory may be made to the Peapack-Gladstone Fire Department.