Born on November 13, 1919 - Rome, Italy
Passed away November 16, 2012 – Miami, Florida
Survivors:
Daughter Jean Russo and husband Charles Tozzi
Daughter Grace Marie Russo and daughter Marisa Hindmarsh
Son Anthony Russo and children Richard, Nancy Clarke, and Jay Russo
Son Ray Russo and wife Lori, children Jessica and Nicholas
Viewing will be on Monday, November 19, 2012. 6-10 pm, at
Southern Memorial Funeral Home, 15011 West Dixie Highway, North Miami, FL 33181
Services will be held at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, 415 N.E. 105 Street, Miami Shores, FL 33138, 10 am mass
Interment to follow at Southern Memorial Cemetery
Elisa Gemma Antogiovanni was born in Lenola, province of Rome, Italy on November 13, 1919. She received her teaching degree in Italy, but at 19 years old immigrated to the United States of America.
Elisa Antogiovanni met Sebastian Steve Russo, from Siracusa, Italy, Sicily, in Hartford, Connecticut before the beginning of World War II.
Sebastian was drafted into the United States Army and served five years; while Elisa worked in a garment factory praying for him to come home safely.
On April 27, 1946, Elisa and Sebastian were married in Hartford, and their children Jean (l947), Grace Marie (1949), and Anthony (1951) were born there. In l952, the Russos moved to North Miami, Florida. Sebastian worked in construction, obtaining a General Contractor’s License. Elisa went to Barry University and graduated in 1960 with a Bachelor of Arts degree.
Elisa was a teacher in Miami-Dade and Broward County Public schools and also in various Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Miami. She taught English, Latin, and Spanish.
In March, 1962, fourth child Raymond Thomas was born. All children graduated from Miami-Dade County Public Schools, Miami Dade College, and have degrees from Florida state universities.
In November, 1999, Sebastian Russo died and the next year Elisa sold their home in North Miami Beach (which had been built by Sebastian) where they had lived over 45 years. She moved to Fairmont House condominium, North Miami, in late 2000 where she lived for eleven years next door to her daughter, Grace.
Elisa was active in Holy Family Catholic Church, North Miami, Florida, and cenacles in The Divine Will since 1988. Elisa traveled many times over the years back to Italy to visit relatives but always said that she “lived in the best country in the world, the United States of America!”
Signed Grace Marie Russo ll.17.2012
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