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YFD to honor late battalion chief during Thursday’s funeral services
By Joe Gorman
YOUNGSTOWN
The city fire department will say goodbye Thursday to Battalion Chief Ronald Russo by remembering how his career started and ended.
Russo, 64, who was a member of the department for 37 years, died after a motorcycle crash Friday in Ashtabula County. Chief John O’Neill said he has been planning for Russo’s funeral service with the family and also is following established protocol when an active-duty firefighter dies but is not on duty.
O’Neill said a departmental honor guard will stand watch over Russo’s coffin during his calling hours from 3 to 8 p.m. today at Rossi Bros. & Lellio Funeral Home on South Avenue in Boardman.
After a 9:30 a.m. prayer service Thursday at the funeral home, Russo’s body then will be taken to Poland United Methodist Church. The procession will be led by the truck in which Russo spent most of his career working, Squad 33, stationed at Fire Station No. 1 downtown.
The last vehicle in the procession will be the command vehicle for Battalion 1, which was Russo’s designation when he died.
After the funeral service is over, the procession will head to Green Haven Memorial Gardens in Canfield but will pass by Station No. 1 along the way, where firefighters will be present to render honors to Russo.
O’Neill said about two-thirds of firefighters slated to work Thursday will be at their stations. He said a few firefighters from other departments may be used to help fill spots on the trucks, but it will be no more than four or five.
The fire chief said he is very thankful for the help and support from the police department and fire departments across the area. When asked how is he dealing with the loss, he said he has spent a lot of time with Russo’s family to help get them ready for the services.