Russell Guarino
Wood River |
Russell S. Guarino, 93, passed away peacefully at 9:57pm on Saturday, August 13, 2016, at Anderson Hospital in Maryville surrounded by his loving family. He was born on June 10, 1923, in Wood River, the son of the late Samuel Russell and Sarah M. (Michelli) Guarino. He married the former Dorris Abernathy on May 2, 1959, in Wood River, and she survives. Other survivors include two sons and daughters in law: Sam and Debra Guarino of Edwardsville, John and Amy Guarino of Rosewood Heights, five grandchildren: Tom Guarino and his wife: Sade of Rosewood Heights, Sara Salger and her husband: Blake of Columbia, Illinois, Daniel Guarino and his wife: Samantha of Glen Carbon, Owen Robinson of Rosewood Heights, Hannah Robinson of Rosewood Heights, three great grandchildren: Sophia Grace Salger, William Samuel Salger, Evelyn Marie Guarino, two special sisters in law: Wilma Abernathy, Della Mae Abernathy, and numerous nieces, nephews, and other extended family and friends.
Russell was employed as a pipefitter at Laclede Steel for 34 years prior to his retirement. He was a member of the Wood River VFW Post #2859 and the Wood River Knights of Columbus. He was a member of Holy Angels Parish in Wood River. He loved gardening, sports, the St. Louis Cardinals, the St. Louis Blues, and his weekly pinochle game with his grandsons. He loved his family. He was a veteran of the United States Marine Corps where he served his country in Battle of Iwo Jima and he was involved during the Japan Occupancy.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one son: Thomas Russell Guarino, his first wife: Sarah Culella Guarino, his two sisters and brothers in law: Katie and Vito Stassi, Jean and Joe DiGirolamo, his brothers in law and sister in law: Travis Abernathy, Vern Abernathy, Van Abernathy, and Joyce Hodge.
In celebration of his life, visitation will be from 4pm to 8pm on Tuesday, August 16, 2016, at Pitchford Funeral Home in Wood River with a prayer service at 3:30pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10am on Wednesday, August 17, 2016, at Holy Angels Parish in Wood River. Father Donald Wolford will be the celebrant. Burial will follow at Rose Lawn Memory Gardens in Bethalto with full military rites by the Ritual Team of VFW Post 1308 of Alton.
Memorials are suggested to the St. Vincent DePaul Society and will be accepted at the funeral home.
Pitchford Funeral Home
