Gregory C. Russo

Gregory (Greg) Russo of Reading, MA passed away suddenly on Friday evening, July 11, 2014 while on a mission trip to the Niños Con Valor (Children with Value) orphanage in Cochabamba, Bolivia. He had spent a joyous week serving with a team from Christ the Redeemer Anglican Church in Danvers, Mass. The team recalled how much the children enjoyed Greg and the love and attention he showed them. Greg always enjoyed working with the arts and children and he brought those gifts with him to the mission.

Gregory was born 44 years ago and valiantly worked to overcome his physical and learning disabilities, enduring many surgeries on his spine and joints. Despite his disabilities, he persevered and didn't give up. He worked hard to achieve his own high expectations. He was an intelligent and funny guy with a dry sense of humor.

As a mission team member wrote, "My most powerful memory of Greg is of the day we visited the state orphanage in Cochabamba for children with major physical and cognitive disabilities. I observed them watching Greg in awe as he walked freely on his own, amazed I think, at the life he had in light of his massive challenges."

Greg received a Bachelor's degree in Political Science and Environmental Studies from Adelphi University and had just completed an Associate's degree in Paralegal Studies from North Shore Community College in 2013. He was passionate about the environment and most recently enjoyed doing an internship with the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). He was working towards his Master's Degree in Environmental Law and Policy from Vermont Law School. On his last full day in Cochabamba, Greg visited the orphanage's aquaponics farm (combining aquaculture and hydroponics), which deeply interested him.

Greg enjoyed quiet pursuits, taking courses, visiting art museums, tending to his bonsai plants, photography, and collecting wine. He thoroughly enjoyed going on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land in 2011.

He had become energized as a Christian over the past four years and served as his church's librarian and was on the Bolivian mission task force. He spent his last days doing the Lord's mission work to those who have the least in the world—parentless and disabled children.

Greg will be greatly missed by all who were fortunate enough to know him. He is survived by his parents, John and Susan Russo of Reading; his sister, Andrea Tieso, her husband, John, and their children, Madison, Brandon, and Andrew of Charlotte, Vermont; his uncle, Dante Russo, of Grimesland, North Carolina; his late uncle Joseph Russo and his wife Cynthia, and their children, Angela, Anthony, and Dante, of Victorville, California; his uncle, Peter Spear and his wife, Joann of Melbourne, Florida, and their sons, Eric, of Gloucester, and Dana, of Melbourne, Florida, and many other friends and relatives.

Visiting hours will be Saturday, July 26 from 1-5 PM at the Barile Family Funeral Home, 11 Linden Street, Reading, Mass.

The funeral will be Sunday, July 27, at 1:00 PM with a reception to follow at Christ the Redeemer Anglican Church, 188 Elliott Street, Danvers, Mass. (From Rt. 128, take exit 22E onto Rt. 62 towards Beverly. The church is almost one mile down on the left, after the Danversport Yacht Club and on the opposite side of the street.)

Interment in Wood End Cemetery will be on Monday at 11:00 AM.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Christ the Redeemer Anglican Church and sent to the church office at 85 Constitution Lane, Suite 200A, Danvers, MA 01923, specifying the Greg Russo Memorial Library Fund.


In Loving Memory of Gregory Russo

Eulogy delivered 7.27.2014 at his funeral mass at Christ the Redeemer Church in Danvers, Massachusetts

The "GoodShip Gregory" Story

His ship was called the "GoodShip Gregory" and was docked next to his mother ship. He was anxious as he walked the deck of the mother ship waiting for his time to leave. At 44 years, his health was declining. His sister had left in her own "GoodShip Andrea" years ago.

"When is my turn?" he asked himself. He hated to be dependent on others for so long. "How long can my "GoodShip Gregory" last while docked?" It was getting old and he was getting older too. "It would be another five years before the next trip to Niños con Valor, the children's orphanages in Cochabamba, Bolivia," he thought to himself. He was longing for this trip since he was part of the planning group.

He couldn't find a more worthy cause over the years—a unique opportunity. "This is my trip; I'm sure I can do it even if it is now more risky without either parent."

His mother, Susan, was going to go with him but she developed severe vertigo and it was difficult for her to walk. They couldn't wait for her to get well. She wasn't going. He never asked me about the trip nor did I say anything. It was his "Carpe Diem" moment—"seize the day" in Latin.

The ropes were released from the mother ship and off he went with his crew from Christ the Redeemer Church. A doctor and a nurse went along as missionaries too.

As his ship plowed the seas toward the Panama Canal he saw whales. It was a great sight as he was reminiscing about the figure of a whale on his license plate. He was so very happy to be on his own.

He finally landed in Bolivia, South America. It was a joyous welcoming since it had been about five years since the Niños con Valor children's orphanages were visited by members of Christ the Redeemer Church. As Gregory was visibly disabled and only five feet tall, the children with disabilities were especially attracted to him. He was one of them.

He was fine during the first few days with no indications of altitude sickness or other health effects. But the clouds were forming over the "GoodShip Gregory." As the team was getting ready to go home, Gregory began having difficulty breathing, and he had a heart attack in the hospital.

We looked over the horizon to see Gregory waving from the "GoodShip Gregory" roped to his new mother ship—the "GodShip."

The song we are to sing today, Lord, When You Came To The Seashore (Pescador Des Hombres), ends with the words, "I will seek other shores." Gregory did this at the height of his evolving understanding of his Christian work.

After reviewing the events, my wife and I agree that several sequential incidents seemingly conspired against Gregory. It seemed like destiny that he would not be coming back.

He had finally arrived at his new home with God who created him and loved him the most.

I quote from Gregory's own Bible he used so often here:

"Jesus said to them, 'the children of this age…who are deemed worthy to attain to the coming age and to the resurrection of the dead…can no longer die, for they are like angels; and they are the children of God because they are the ones who will rise.'" Luke 20:34-36

"For they are like angels"—this was his aspiration and it is now our aspiration.

How many of us will have the good fortune in our last actions on earth to do the Lord's mission work for some of those who have the least in the world—parentless children and disabled children?

Gregory and his mother were energized as followers here at the Christ the Redeemer Church where both realized their greatest spiritual growth with action over the past four years.

Both opened the door to let God into their daily lives and responded, as they had never done before.

God will not open the door for you; you must take the first step.

God bless you all.

Johnny Russo, father


Gregory C. Russo
Born on 6.23.1970
Died on 7.11.2014, about 9 PM in Cochabamba, Bolivia, South America

jfr 7.26.2014