On September 21, 2019 after a long battle with heart disease, Joseph (Joe) Michael Russo, resident of Lemon Grove, California, passed away surrounded by his loving family. Born in Los Angeles, California on March 19, 1942 to Leonard and Paula Russo, Joe along with his brothers, Paul and Chris and sister, Margery, spent most of their childhood living in Hawthorne, California. Joe attended St. Joseph's Elementary School and Hawthorne High School. In 1961 he enlisted in the Air Force and after serving four years returned to civilian life where he was to soon meet Linda Lopez, his future bride. They married in January of 1968. In 1970 they would be celebrating the birth of their first child, Steven. In 1974 another celebration of life occurred when their daughter, Nikki, was born. They were to leave Hawthorne in 1977 and travel south to Lemon Grove where they were to settle down and enjoy family life. Joe was a master machinist, working for North American Aviation in Los Angeles and Jaycraft Corporation in San Diego. Joseph is survived by his wife Linda, children Steve (Cindy) and Nikki (Lance), four grandchildren and two great grandchildren and brothers Paul and Chris and sister Margery (Tifft). Service to be held on October 28, 2019, at St. John of the Cross Catholic Church in Lemon Grove at 11:00 am. Memorial to be held at Miramar National Cemetery at 1:30 pm. In lieu of flowers it is requested that any donations be sent to the American Heart Association.