Thomas Daniel Russo

Beloved husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather Thomas Daniel Russo, 85, passed away Thursday evening, November 27, 2025.

Thomas was born in Jersey City, New Jersey, as the middle of three children. The son of John Russo and Elizabeth Russo (Caso), Thomas earned a high school diploma from Lincoln High School in Jersey City. Not the biggest fan of school, Thomas fell in love with history following his schooling. He routinely joked about the nuns' clairvoyance on the fact that one day he’d come to love the subject.

Thomas attempted a career in the military with an eye for the sky, but unfortunately; a diagnosis of flat feet and poor eyesight grounded him from service in the Airforce. Thomas decided to pivot to a career in sales first selling insurance, then managing a grocery store and then parlaying that into a career in paint.

Thomas worked as a store manager for over 40 years managing paint store locations in Northern Jersey for companies such as Sherwin Williams, Felix Fox, Siperstein and Riccardi Brothers. Thomas’ biggest claim to fame was his ability to match or create a color better than the store’s computer ever could. A fact he wasn’t bashful to share.

His work in paint led him to finding the love of his life Louise Russo (Coviello) after a customer suggested he’d go on a date with a single young woman he knew. Following a short courtship, the two married in 1968 and had their daughter Carlene in 1969. 

After retiring, Thomas and Louise left New Jersey and moved to Delaware to be closer to their daughter Carlene Colasanti (Russo), son-in-law Ralph Colasanti and their two children. Thomas and Louise made Middletown their new home in 2007. Thomas enjoyed his retirement by playing Scrabble and Monopoly with his grandchildren, building and painting model airplanes, riding around on his bike and spending time with friends around the neighborhood.

Thomas was an extremely unselfish person willing to lend a hand or his intellect whenever he could. A treasure trove of random history facts, Thomas loved his family deeply and enjoyed family gatherings especially when they involved chocolate. Thomas loved Christmas time for his annual chocolate covered cherries and the opportunity to watch every version of “A Christmas Carol” with the family.

Thomas is survived by his wife, Louise; brother, John Russo; sister, Elizabeth Malafarina (Russo) and brother-in-law Joseph Malafarina; brother-in-law Robert Coviello and sister-in-law Marie Coviello (Coglitore); daughter, Carlene and son-in-law Ralph; grandchildren, Jessica Horstmann (Colasanti), her husband Benjamin Horstmann and Ryan Colasanti; two great-grandchildren, Blaire Horstmann and Benjamin Horstmann Jr.; several nieces and nephews.

Thomas was preceded in death by his parents; father-in-law Anthony Coviello and mother-in-law Rose Coviello (Albanese); sisters-in-law Florence Russo (Albers), Patricia Polito (Coviello) and Bonnie Coviello; brothers-in-law Dominic Coviello and George Coviello. 

Those close to Thomas and his family are invited to attend a visitation Wednesday, December 3, from 5:00 - 7:00pm at the Doherty Funeral Home, 3200 Limestone Road, Wilmington, DE 19808. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, December 4, at St. Ann Roman Catholic Church, 2013 Gilpin Avenue, Wilmington, DE 19806 at 11:00am. Interment will follow in All Saints Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to: The Cooley’s Anemia Foundation, 330 7th Ave Ste 200, New York, NY 10001, in his honor. 

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