Russell P. Girolamo, of Peekskill and long-time resident of Yorktown, passed away on Dec. 29, 2013 after a brief illness. He was 86.
Girolamo was born in the Bronx on Sept. 28, 1927 to Pasquale and Antoinette Girolamo. He was predeceased by his loving wife of 58 years, Norma Fusco Girolamo, who died in September 2011.
He attended the prestigious Stuyvesant High School in NYC and served in the US Coast Guard during World War II after graduating high school. He then graduated from New York University with both BS and MBA degrees. While at NYU he was a member of the varsity football team and earned an athletic scholarship to fund his education along with the GI Bill.
He married Norma, the love of his life, on Jan. 24, 1953 and settled in Yorktown several years later. There they raised six children: Mark (Denise), Robert (Patricia), Elena Watson, Patrice Sullivan (Neal), Marissa Girolamo and Russell, Jr.(Alison).
Girolamo founded the Girolamo Insurance Agency in Yorktown in 1961. The business thrives to this day under the stewardship of his sons, Robert and Russell, Jr.
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The man's other passion was the game of football and he was a 35-year member and past president of the Westchester County Football Officials Association. He was also active in the community, serving as President of both the CircoloDaVinci and The Exchange Club and as Commissioner of the Mohansic Boys’ Club Pop Warner Football Program.
Girolamo was an avid golfer and was a 20-year member of Highlands Golf Club in Garrison.
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In addition to his six children, Girolamo is survived by 18 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Viewings will be held at the Yorktown Funeral Home in Shrub Oak on Friday, Jan. 3 from 2 p.m to 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at St. Patrick’s Church in Yorktown Heights on Saturday, Jan. 4 at 11:15 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in memory of Russell P. Girolamo to the Crohns and Colitis Foundation of America, c/o Russell Girolamo, Jr., 1215 East Main St., Shrub Oak, NY 10588.
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