Michael J. Russo

Mike was born on May 31, 1934, to Anthony and Margaret Russo in Coney Island, NY, and the family later moved to Jamaica Estates, NY. A life-long resident of Queens, Mike graduated from Manhattan College, earning a degree in civil engineering. He went on to become a New York State licensed professional engineer and built his career at Anthony Russo, Inc., a design and construction firm founded by his father in 1927. Mike had worked as a brick mason for the company in his teens and went on to serve as its President for over 40 years. He later became a consulting engineer.

Fascinated by aviation at an early age, Mike served as an officer in the U.S. Air Force and was stationed at Barksdale Air Force Base in Shreveport, LA, and Ramey Air Force Base in Puerto Rico. After his military service, Mike obtained his commercial pilot license, became a flight instructor, and received his Commercial Airline Transport Pilot’s Certificate. In 1978, driven by his passion, he founded Northeastern Aviation (NEAJETS), an aircraft charter and management firm. He obtained Northeastern Air Management’s first leasehold with the New York State DOT at Republic Airport in 1995. In 2006, with several partners he co-founded SMC Aviation, Inc. an FAA-Certified Repair Station, further expanding the range of services offered by the Northeastern group of companies. In addition, Mike was a partner in AMF Associates, a commercial real estate company.

In 1980, Mike founded Meadow Mechanical Corporation, a mechanical contracting company, which became Fresh Meadow Mechanical Corporation (FMMC) in 1993. Mike served as Chief Executive Officer and Corporate Secretary at these companies since their formation. Among its notable projects, FMMC furnished and installed the two cascading water fountains at the National September 11 Memorial and Museum.

Deeply committed to his local community, Mike served as a Director on the Board of Flushing Financial Corporation (Nasdaq: FFIC) since its formation in 1994 and served as a Director on the Board for Flushing Bank since 1984. In addition, Mike was on the Board of Trustees for Flushing Hospital for 39 years, serving as Chairman for 26 of those years.

In addition to his leadership in business, Mike was also a dedicated philanthropist who established and, with many friends and clients, endowed Flushing Hospital Medical Center’s “Maureen Russo Hospice Center” in loving memory of his late wife.

Mike is predeceased by his wife, Maureen, and his sisters, Jean Puleio and Gilda Russo. He is survived by his daughters, Regina Russo and Maureen Mayer (Drew), and his sons, Anthony Russo (Nataliya) and Michael Russo; his seven grandchildren (Michael, Dean, Jessica, Kyle, Megan, Danielle, and Charlotte); and his great-granddaughter (Emma); his sister-in-law, Toni Orosz (Gene) and his sister-in-law and companion, Lucy Browne, and his many nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Maureen Russo Hospice Unit at Flushing Hospital. Checks can be made out to “Flushing Hospital Hospice Unit”. Please write “Michael Russo” in the memo line and mail to: Flushing Hospital Medical Center, c/o Administration, 4500 Parsons Blvd., Flushing, NY, 11355.

A visitation for Michael will be held Wednesday, January 11, 2023 from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM & 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM and on Thursday, January 12, 2023 from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM & 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM. Funeral Mass on Friday, January 13, 2023 at 11:00 AM at Immaculate Conception RC Church, 86-45 Edgerton Blvd, Jamaica, NY 11432. Interment to follow St. John Cemetery, 80-01 Metropolitan Avenue, Middle Village, NY 11379.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.frederick-fh.com for the Russo family.