Andrew Frank Russo

Andrew Frank Russo Jr. Andy Russo was born on August 20, 1937, in Grey, Kentucky as the fifth of 8 children from the union of Oralena and Andrew Russo Sr. A few years after Andy was born, the family moved back to New Castle, Pennsylvania to live in an Italian American community. When Andy was in Jr. High (middle school), the family moved to Los Angeles, California. He sold newspapers on the street corner to help his divorced mother support the family. To get the most profitable corner, he fought and beat bigger boys to win the busy corner. Andy was determined to help his family and he brought home all his earnings for his mother. His mother raised her children to have strength of character, determination and demonstrate responsibility. Throughout Andy’s life, his strength of character shined through! In 1952, at the end of Junior High, his family moved to Pomona, California. He loved all sports and was voted MVP in football his Senior year. In 1955 he graduated from Pomona High School, the first one in his family to do so. While in high school he met his future wife, Priscilla Ann Barnard. Her father, a high school teacher and coach, saw academic and athletic potential in Andy and encouraged him to graduate and pursue a college degree. After Andy graduated from high school, he attended Mount San Antonio (Mt. Sac) Junior College. In 1957, Andy married Priscilla, his high school sweetheart, earned his Associate of Science degree from Mount SAC and then joined the Navy. His son, Andrew Frank Russo III, was born in November 1957 while Andy served as a Radarman on the USS Arnold J Isbell Destroyer in the Western Pacific Ocean. The Destroyer was fired upon by Communist China in the Taiwan (Formosa) Strait. During his service, Andy was promoted to a Petty Officer 3rd Class. Following his Navy Service, Andy attended California Polytechnic State University in Pomona from 1959 to 1961. In the Spring of 1961, he had a life-changing accident while doing water-skiing tricks. The rope wrapped around his arm and severed his right bicep. By the grace of God and an experimental surgery, the bicep muscle was repaired. Through his strength of character, he was able to successfully complete the semester final exams (including calculus) using his left hand. While in college, Andy started selling life insurance. Thus, after recovering from his accident, he began a long career in insurance sales which culminated in becoming the California State Manager for AFLAC. In September 1962, his daughter, Dena Lynn Russo, was born. But in January 1963, another life changing event happened when he had a heart attack at 25 years old. Together, he and his wife decided that he would not finish his Electronic Engineer degree at Cal Poly Pomona, and he would start the rigorous process of earning a Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU) certificate in hopes of opening his own agency. In 1966, with his CLU certificate completed, Mutual Trust Life Insurance afforded him the opportunity to open an office in San Diego. He and his wife moved to San Diego, bought a home, and raised their two children until they divorced in 1976. Andy enjoyed bartending and singing at the Red Fox and Kelly’s Steakhouse in San Diego. He would often surprise the customers by singing at the piano bar. With his phenomenal singing range, he would sing at weddings and was even offered a professional contract to travel the world and sing. In 1977, Andy married Sheila Marlene Sinnott in Las Vegas, Nevada and they started their long adventurous marriage until she passed away in 2012. While living in So Cal in the 80’s, they enjoyed the fruits of their labor when he was the CA State Manager of AFLAC and they traveled to many places and went on many cruises. He was also active in the Shriners, an organization with a mission to provide care for children and families in need. Andy had a heart to help others! In 1986, Andy and Sheila decided to retire early and move to Idaho City, Idaho, a small town an hour from Boise. Less than two years later, Andy successfully ran for Boise County Commissioner in 1988. He sprang into his new leadership role by serving Boise County on a variety of committees and Boards of Directors. With a strong vision for Boise County, he was elected for a second term, but resigned in 1993 with changing administration. Andy stayed active throughout his life and wore many hats. He embarked on a new adventure by owning an entertainment company called the “Outlaws.” He wrote the scripts and acted in the mock Wild West shoot-out performances when tour buses came to town. He knew a lot about guns as an avid elk hunter and as a Deputy Sheriff in Boise County. He also enjoyed using the skills he learned in college as a County Land Surveyor. As the new millennium approached, Andy and Sheila decided to sell their Idaho home. They downsized into a Fifth Wheel RV and set off to travel into the sunset…well at least to the next Campground and Park Host position! They enjoyed this life, but it was time to settle down when Sheila’s health declined. A house, in a small town in Eastern Oregon called Richland, was purchased to live in the beautiful Green Belt near a river to fish. He loved teaching his grandchildren to fish, one of his favorite activities. Andy also joined the VFW Post 7847 in Halfway, Oregon which allowed him to serve his community. When Andy’s health started to worsen, his children moved him to Thousand Palms, CA in 2017 and then to Banning to be closer to better medical resources at Loma Linda. His daughter and son-in-law were happy to help as much as possible. In 2020, he moved to The Lakes, an Assisted Living Facility. The caring staff at The Lakes loved him and treated him like family. They made this move much easier for an independent strong-minded Italian who was certain that he could do everything himself! A phrase that the caregivers constantly chanted was, “Andy, PUSH YOUR (help) BUTTON.” The only time he listened was when he organized the residents in the dining room to all simultaneously push their buttons to play a joke on the caregivers! Thankfully, the staff at The Lakes has a sense of humor and appreciated Andy’s humor. Thank-you Lakes staff for making Dad’s last years better with your caring hearts! On October 23, 2023, Dad closed his eyes and left this earth directly after a prayer by his daughter asking the Lord Jesus to usher him to the gates of Heaven to see his mom, Tony (Gene), Joe, Rosemary, Doris, and Lee, five siblings who went before him. He is survived by his sister Esther and brother-in-law, Craig and his brother Paul and sister-in-law, Pat. He is also survived by his son, Andrew Russo 3rd and his daughter-in-law, Maureen Russo, his daughter, Dena Lynn Arbaugh and son-in-law Michael J. Arbaugh. He is survived by his five grandchildren and their spouses, Erilynn Heinrichsen (Darren), Becky Schmooke (Bill), Colleen Russo Johnson (J.J.), Kyle McNamara (Dabney), Kayla Dais (Clark) and his twelve great-grandchildren, Kellen, Sydney, Vivi, Finley, Ripley, Rex, Ryder, Aniella, Ezra, Brexton, Levi, and Ava. Andy led a life of leadership, service, and adventure. He has left his indelible mark on those around him with his fun spirit, quick wit, smile, and passion for fully living his 86 years! He would be happy to see us celebrating his life after honoring his Navy Service with a military burial at Riverside National Cemetery! Thank you for being part of his life! The family also requests: In lieu of flowers, please send monetary donations to either of the following organizations VFW (Veterans of Foreign War) Post #7847 Halfway, OR 97834 Big Bear Valley Education Trust PO Box 6413 Big Bear Lake, CA 92315 (Non-profit Fed Tax ID 27-3677068) OR you may go to the website: http://www.bigbearvalleyedtrust.org Click on the RED DONATE button to donate with PAYPAL

Andrew Frank Russo

August 20, 1937 - October 18, 2023

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Andrew Frank Russo

August 20, 1937 - October 18, 2023

COVID-19

Flowers & Gifts

Grief & Healing

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About Us

Obituaries

What We Do

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