James F. Russo, Sr. Cocoa Beach

James "Jim" F. Russo, Sr., 87, passed away Saturday, February 21, 2009. Son of James and Anna (Serrine) Russo. Married Georgiana on June 25, 1949. He said that, "60 years was only the beginning".

He was a U.S. Navy Officer during World War II, and was Graduate of United States Merchant Academy, Kings Point Naval Academy, New York College of New Jersey at Trenton and holds a Masters Degree from Rutgers University, New Jersey. He was a U.S. Civil Servant and moved his growing family from Ft. Monmouth, NJ, Ft. Hua chucka, AZ, the Pentagon, VA, and lastly Florida in 1957 with the Army Ballistic Missile Agency which became part of NASA. He was part of every manned launch from the first one in the Mercury Program through Apollo and Sky Lab. He retired as Division Director of Documentation and Photography.

He became the owner of Rainbow Travel Agency, Shreveport, LA from 1977 to 2007. He traveled the world with his wife. While at Ft. Monmouth he coached the basketball team of St. Rose High School, Belmar, NJ to two consecutive state championships. He was a member of Our Saviour Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus, American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars. He was an Eagle Scout and started the Cocoa Beach Cub Scouts in 1959. Jim was a Cocoa Beach High School Swim Team Benefactor, Official Race Starter and AAU Swim Official.

Jim is survived by his devoted wife, Georgiana; children, James F. Russo, Jr. of Cocoa Beach, Gigi Shehee of Shreveport, LA,Dr. Rose Rosanelli of Tampa, Donna Luther (John) of Sarasota, Dr. Richard Russo of Winter Haven; and five grandchildren, Dr. James and his wife Dr. Sharon Russo of Palm Coast, FL, Damien Russo of Cocoa Beach, Ryan and Cory Goodwin of Shreveport, LA and Laura Luther of Sarasota. He was predeceased by his grandson, Eric Luther.

Mr. Russo was a strong, independent, versatile - self sufficient, proud man who deeply loved his family.

Visiting hours will be from 5:30 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. Monday, February 23, 2009 at Beckman-William son Funeral Home in Cocoa Beach. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, February 24, 2009 at Church of Our Saviours in Cocoa Beach. Interment will follow at Florida Memorial Gardens. You may sign Jims guest book at www.beckmanwilliamson.com.