Vincent J. Russo, 93, of Oceanport, NJ, passed away peacefully at his home on January 3, 2022, in the care of his faithful caregiver of nearly eight years, Kofi Kubi. Vincent was born to Theresa and Vincent J. Russo and raised in Hillburn, NY.
Vincent, a grateful first-generation American, graduated high school in 1946 and served in the U.S. Army, stationed in Europe. During this time, he had the unexpected opportunity to travel through Europe. After graduating from Kean University, on the G.I. Bill, he began teaching woodshop in public schools, first in Ramsey before moving south to Rumson where he set up the first woodshop, later called industrial arts, at what was then the new Forrestdale Elementary School. He was a true craftsman, turning his talents to building Cape Cod style houses in town during the summers. Although he enjoyed working in education and was eligible for tenure in 1961, he instead took a chance on making building and construction his life’s work.




