Steve Russo

Steve Russo, 71, of Hillsdale, NJ passed on April 22, 2025. Steve was the loving son of the late Simone and Lillian Russo of Saddle Brook. Steve is the beloved husband of Bindu Nair, loving and doting father of Dawn McCoy (Russo) and Amanda Ross (Russo), loving step-father to Rohan, proud pop-pop of Erin, Mia, LJ, Carter, Noah, Kendrick, Hunter and Savannah, and dear brother of Anthony Russo and his wife Karen, and Louis Russo and his wife Geraldine. Steve is also survived by his cousins Rosario Schillari and his wife Rita and Nicolas DeMauro and his wife Joan.

Steve was born in Manhattan, NY and grew up in Saddle Brook, NJ. Steve was an accomplished drummer, an avid corvette owner, and loved to ride 4-wheelers and Jet Ski’s at his beloved summer home in Little Egg Harbor, NJ.

Steve was the most generous, loving, lively spirited man to know. Growing up, Steve always made sure his daughters Dawn and Amanda were well rounded, from cheerleading and dance to riding 4 wheelers and jet skis. He made sure they had the best of both worlds. He taught that family always came first and he never passed up a chance to let them know how much he loved them. He never missed a game or a dance recital. He found so much joy playing music on his drums, driving his Corvette, his Jet Ski’s, racing his four wheelers and of course his beloved shore house in Little Egg Harbor where he made some of his best memories with his family. The summers were spent at six flags, riding the waves to see how high we could get on the Jet Ski’s, catching crabs in the lagoon and grilling out back. He made sure we were always reminded where we came from and carried out his family traditions from Sunday dinners at Grandpa and Grandma Russo’s, to celebrating holidays as a family making homemade sauce and meatballs. He had the recipe perfected! He always supported us and if there was something we needed, he made it happen every time. He taught us to treat people well, everyone has a story. His heart was huge.

He was a fun Pop Pop! The kids always knew Pop Pop would have them pulling his finger. If you know him, you get it. He loves all his grandchildren, every time he talked to Dawn and Amanda, he’d ask about every single one of them. His love for them had no bounds. They were his blood.

Brother, You will forever be in my heart and mind - Anthony, and as brother Louie said best, “Your Dad lived to see others happy.”

We will carry out his legacy by being the best parts of him and being a kind human being to others, helping anyone who needs it and always supporting our children no matter what. That’s what family is all about, that’s what we learned from our Dad.

Until we see you at the gates of Heaven, we will continue to make you proud and we love you so much.

From Bindu, his wife, he will always be remembered as my “Kutti Chattan” the guy who always made me laugh with his funny dances and internally laugh at his dad jokes. He was always the person who made me feel comfortable when I was sad with his warm hugs and his words “don’t worry about anything - it will be OK, Quent”. From Rohan his stepson, he treated him like a son, and he was the buddy that that would watch football with him and talk about music and food. The house is empty without him and even though he’s gone, his presence is felt forever.

A celebration of Steve’s life will be held at Kugler Funeral Home 311 Fifth Street Saddle Brook on Saturday May 10, 2025 from 2-6pm.