Former East Hills trustee Jack Russo dies at 94

Amelia Camurati
Former Village of East Hills Trustee Jack Russo died Sept. 21. (Photo courtesy of Bill Burton)

Former Village of East Hills trustee and Roslyn Water District Commissioner Jack Russo died Sept. 21 at the age of 94.

There will be a remembrance of his life at 2 p.m. Oct. 7 at the Bryant Public Library in Roslyn.

Russo served on the board of trustees for 24 years, and after his tenure ended, he was appointed by the North Hempstead Town Board as commissioner of the Roslyn Water District for 23 years.

Village of East Hills Attorney Bill Burton said when Russo retired, a flag pole was erected in his honor at the Mineola Avenue Water Station.

East Hills Mayor Michael Koblenz said Russo will always be remembered for his help securing the Roslyn Air National Guard Base from Congress and renovating it into the village park.

“He was always a great champion for East Hills, always upbeat, refined and positive,” Koblenz said. “Those of us who knew him, were truly honored to have known him. We will always miss Jack, and always be grateful for his many everlasting and inspiring deeds.”

Russo was preceded in death by his wife of 60 years, Miriam, and he is survived by his two sons, Jonathan and his wife Deborah and Seth and his wife Sylvie, and his daughter Emily and her husband Peter.

As the son of Sephardic immigrants from Turkey, Russo served with distinction in the U.S. Navy in World War II.

Rabbi Michael White said Russo was a long-standing member of Temple Sinai in Roslyn, and he and his wife were ever-present at the temple in their decades in the congregation.

“Jack was at the heart of this synagogue community,” White said. “He was the best of us. He was kind, thoughtful and warm. He was a student of sacred scripture. He worshiped with us at every Shabbat and festival and holy day. He was wise and compassionate and decent to his very core.”

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