In Loving Memory of David M. Russo
May 6, 1934 – April 23, 2025
David M. Russo, 90, of St. Petersburg, Florida, passed away peacefully on April 23, 2025, surrounded by his loved ones. Born in Malden, Massachusetts, David spent his early years in New England and served in the Navy. After returning home, he graduated from Boston College in 1960 and spent the next 45 years in the paper industry, beginning at International Paper and concluding his career at Norkol, Inc. One of his proudest accomplishments was working alongside his son, Mark.
David lived a rich and active life. He loved to travel, play golf, enjoy great meals, and most of all, spend quality time with his family. He valued his independence and found great joy in exploring the world on his own terms.
In his 80s, David was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease—a condition that slowly began to limit his ability to do the things he loved most. Though he had faced other health challenges over the years, Parkinson’s brought a kind of struggle that deeply impacted him. The loss of independence, mobility, and freedom took a visible emotional toll. It was a difficult chapter, one that he met not with defiance, but with endurance, even in the face of growing frustration and sadness.
This tribute honors not only the life David lived, but also the truth of what he endured. Supporting the Michael J. Fox Foundation in his name is a way to carry forward his story and help others who walk a similar path. Every contribution brings us closer to a future where Parkinson’s no longer takes so much from those we love.
David will be remembered for the life he built, the love he gave, and the impact he had on everyone who knew him. He will be deeply missed and forever remembered.
The Michael J. Fox Foundation is dedicated to finding a cure for Parkinson's disease and to ensuring the development of improved therapies for those living with Parkinson's today. The Foundation is the world's largest nonprofit funder of Parkinson's research, with more than $2 billion in high-impact research funded to date.
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