Obituary of Vittorio O. Russo

Vittorio O. Russo, age 88, of the Annandale Section of Clinton Twp., NJ died Saturday, April 4, 2009 at the Veterans Administration Hospital (Lyons) in Bernards Twp., NJ. Mr. Russo was born August 10, 1920 in Ludlow, Vermont, the son of the late Pasquale and the late Jennie (nee Marro) Russo. He was a Restaurateur who for over 20 years, along with his wife Gaynell, owned & operated Vittorio's Clinton Point Inn in Clinton, NJ - considered by many to be Hunterdon's first fine Italian dining facility. Mr. Russo was born in Ludlow, Vermont, raised in Newark, NJ and resided in Clinton and White House, NJ for over 30 years with a brief intervening sojourn in South Fork, Pa, where he operated another restaurant.Vittorio was a decorated World War II B-24 bomber pilot in the Army Air Corps from 1941 to 1946. He earned the rank of Captain and had been a German POW after being shot down over Hungary. He was a member of the VFW, American legion, and the Military Order of the Purple Heart. Local Italian-American residents will recall that he co-founded the first Italian-American Club in Hunterdon. He was also an active member of the NJ Restaurant Association. He claimed as one of his greatest delights, being an honorary member of the Freisenhof Germany Band.He is survived by his devoted Daughter, Barbara DiOrio & her Husband, Angelo of Annandale, NJ and his Grandsons; Paul DiOrio of Minneapolis, Minnesota & Christopher DiOrio of Denville, NJ. He was pre-deceased by his beloved Wife: Gaynell in 1989, his Sisters; Rena Schwahl & Clementine Tangarie and his Brothers; Edward Blanchard, Pasquale Russo & Carmen Russo.Services will be held privately. The family is planning an Interment with full military honors in the future. Memorial donations may be made to the Cooperative Housing Corporation, 62 East High Street, Somerville, NJ 08876.