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https://www.newstimes.com/local/article/New-Milford-veteran-to-get-full-military-honors-14079953.php
New Fairfield veteran to get full military honors
By Rob Ryser
Updated 10:30 am EDT, Tuesday, July 9, 2019
New Fairfield veteran Lou Russo during his 100th birthday party . Russo's experience with a court-appointed conservator after a fall in his home sparked a bill in the state legislature to better protect the elderly in similar situations. Saturday, August 4, 2018, in New Fairfield, Conn
New Fairfield veteran Lou Russo during his 100th birthday party . Russo's experience with a court-appointed conservator after a fall in his home sparked a bill in the state legislature to better protect the
Photo: H. John Voorhees III
NEW FAIRFIELD - Lou Russo, a 100-year-old World War II veteran who lived the final years of his life as a local celebrity, will be remembered on Tuesday at a funeral with full military honors.
Russo, who inspired friends and supporters with a spirited fight for independence from a nursing home where he was confined against his will, will be honored at a 10 a.m. service at the State Veterans Cemetery in Middletown.
A bachelor who was serious about healthy eating, Russo lived the final years of his life in the house he built at the end of Hammond Road because an army of volunteers led by two combat veterans pitched in to fix up his home and tend to his health.
A conservator had been appointed by probate court to care for Russo's housing and health after Russo fell in his home. But instead of helping Russo, the conservator exploited Russo, confining Russo to a nursing home against his will, selling Russo's construction equipment, and renting out Russo's home.
A judge later ordered the conservator to repay Russo $34,000, and the nursing home dropped a $100,000 bill it claimed Russo owed.
The headlines about Russo's fight made him a local VIP.
"…Lou's tenacity, health, fitness and fight scored him several late life victories that changed policy, united his neighbors and friends, garnered local, state and federal attention, and finally, returned him to the home he built decades prior," reads his obituary.
The short version of Russo's life story is that he was born in 1918 in New Canaan - the fifth of nine siblings.
He is survived by a sister, Mary, and a niece, Josephine Amarosa.
He served in the Army during World War II in Papua New Guinea as a staff sergeant.
Russo's work life started with his father in the New York City subways and included stints as an office manager, a golf caddy and a shoe shiner. He also worked in construction, building his New Milford home in 1965.
He always said the secret to his longevity was his diet.
"He learned to avoid white flour, too much red meat, and any kind of refined sugars," his obituary reads. His diet included 45 grams of protein every day, along with fruits, vegetables and fish two times each week, his obituary said.
Russo's friends and supporters have a Facebook page with details about his life at https://www.facebook.com/groups/730206433728890/.
rryser@newstimes.com 203-731-3342
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