Matthew J. Russo

Matthew J. Russo, a recent Lab retiree and resident of Tracy, died Sept. 10 after a long battle with esophageal cancer. He was 63.

Born July 21, 1948, to Frank and Marie Russo in St. Louis, Mo., he grew up in Florissant, Mo.

Russo graduated from the University of Missouri -- Rolla with a bachelor of science degree in electrical engineering. He later earned an MBA from Golden Gate University while working at the Lab.

Russo retired June 1. During his 34-year career at LLNL, he worked in the Plant Engineering, Hazards Control and Engineering organizations. He also played on, and coached, the lab's Mixed Nuts softball team for many years.

He is survived by his son, Greg Russo of San Diego; sister, Patricia Sierawski of The Villages, Fla.; nephew, Jeff Sierawski of Grayslake, Ill.; nephew, Brian Sierawski of Nashville, Tenn.; and many other family members and friends.

A visitation will take place at Callaghan Mortuary in Livermore on Thursday, Sept. 15, from 5 to 9 p.m. A memorial service will be held at Callaghan's on Friday, Sept. 16, beginning at 2 p.m. Final services will be held at Kutis Funeral Home in St. Louis, Mo., where he will then be interred next to his mother at Resurrection Cemetery in St Louis.

Flowers may be sent to Callaghan Mortuary in Livermore. Memorial donations may be made in Russo’s name to the American Cancer Society.