Mariano E. Russo, 92, of Robbinsville, passed away Thursday, November 8, 2018 at RWJ/ Barnabas Hospital in Hamilton.  Born in Brooklyn, NY he served as a signalman on an ammunition ship in the US Navy during WW II.  Mariano was  affectionately known as Mario. For 37 years he and his business partner, Thomas O'Neil co-owned and operated Personal Process Dry Cleaners in the Park Slope section of Brooklyn .  After he sold the business, he went on to work for the US Coast Guard as a landscaper on Governor's Island.  Mario loved to garden, especially vegetables, and was a talented tailor who had an eye for perfection.  He had a beautiful singing voice and would often sing for his family and friends.  He was a natural caregiver and  a thoughtful man who was always helping others first.
Son of the late Bernard and Philomena Russo, Mario is survived by his loving wife of 69 years, Anna A. Russo (nee DeMeo); his four children and their spouses, Phyllis and Joseph Geraghty of Tuckahoe, NY, Richard and Jo-Anne Russo of Myrtle Beach, SC, Michael and Colette Russo of Charlottesville, VA and Lorraine and Kevin McMahon of Robbinsville, NJ; his five grandchildren, Richard Russo, Michael and David Geraghty and Cara and Matthew McMahon; his newborn great grandson, Jack Geraghty; his sister, Antoinette DePietro and his brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Anthony and JoAnn DeMeo.
A viewing will be held Monday, November 12th from 2-4 pm and again 6-9 pm at the Peppler Funeral Home, 114 S. Main St. Allentown, NJ.  Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10am on Tuesday at St. John the Baptist R.C Church, 1282 Yardville-Allentown Rd., Allentown, NJ. Interment will follow in St. John's Cemetery in Queens, NY.