Frank Leonard Russo

We regretfully announce that Frank Leonard Russo died unexpectedly at his home in Toledo, Tuesday May 2nd, 2023.

Frank was born in 1937, where he grew up with his large, multi-generational, Italian family on Toledo’s East Side. The family began to grow its roots in Toledo after his grand parents emigrated from Italy in the 1920’s.

After graduating from Central Catholic high school in 1955,  Frank went on to serve his country in the Air Force and was stationed in Morocco; he remembered it fondly and often reminisced about the humble families and traditions he experienced there.

Frank, a local jazz musician and Toledo legend, will be remembered for his innate love for music and the arts. He played the trumpet and flugelhorn with Red Port Review at Rusty’s Jazz Cafe for many years, as well as local art and music venues. He will be remembered for his innate love for music and the arts.

Frank studied art at The University of Toledo and was a talented painter and sculptor. His art work was exhibited at local art festivals and was known for its avant garde style and unique aesthetic. In his later years, he focused on digital art, creating a diverse collection of unique pieces. His creativity reached even further, with his quick wit and quirky sense of humor; something that will be missed and he’ll undoubtedly be remembered for.

He is predeceased by his ex-wife but life partner, Lorene Russo, mother and father, Rose and Salvatore Russo, sister Mary Ann Russo, brother in law Harry Schlievert and grand parents Maria and Biagio Caputo, who were immigrants from the region of Puglia, Italy.

He is survived by his four children: Melissa (Bill) Noethen Russo, Nino Russo, Sam Russo and Suzette Della Flora Russo; nieces and nephew: Lisa Young, Tina Schlievert, Franz Schlievert and Mia (Dan) Schlievert Kujawa, as well as eight grand children: Steven (Christi), Brandon (Molly), Aleksander, Chloe, Jasmin, Andreas, Marcus, Louie - and seven great grand children.

There will be an open Celebration of Life memorial held on Saturday May 27th from 2:00-5:00 pm at the Toledo School for the Arts in the gallery. The family requests that any donations be made to the Mary Ann Russo Memorial Scholarship (payable to Toledo School for the Arts).

Online condolences to reebfuneralhome.com

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Frank Leonard Russo, please visit our floral store.