PORTSMOUTH– Known affectionately as "Matty", Matthew John Russo, Jr., passed peacefully at home from liver cancer, surrounded by family, on June 4, 2021. A proud lifetime resident of Portsmouth, he was the son of Matthew J. Russo, Sr. and Rosina Bisese Russo.

In his early years, Matty served eight years in the Army National Guard and spent his business career at Tidewater Produce Company. In his later years, he also operated Bunny's Pawn Shop and was club manager for The Ambassador Club. Matty was a member of the Ambassadors Club, a lifetime member of the Knights of Columbus, and St. Paul Catholic Church.

Matty was an oracle, loved being surrounded by family and friends, and never met a stranger. He would happily volunteer wisdom and insightful advice about business, life, and people, was always quick with a joke and eager to make people laugh. He was charismatic and always approachable.  People loved and were often infuriated by Matty as he had a special knack for quick talking or amusing anecdotes. He was so well liked at Wilson High School that he would receive multiple invitations to class reunions.

Matty was passionate about food and loved sharing a meal with family and friends. He especially loved hosting breakfast every Christmas morning, enjoyed steamed crabs and his sister Antoinette's fudge. He was an active member for 65+ years of "The Thursday Night Prayer Meeting." He enjoyed golf, Thunderbirds, Redskins, wrestling, going to gun shows with his son John, and taking his granddaughters for weekends to Williamsburg.

Matty is survived by his loving wife of 59 years, Susan Orcutt Russo; their children, Matthew "John" Russo III (Terry), and Marguerite Taylor (Jimmy); granddaughters Sandra Witherow (Eddie) and Olivia Taylor; sister Mary Ann Resolute (Jimmy); and his steadfast canine companions Toots and Butch. He is also survived by a legion of loving godchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Matty was predeceased by his parents; brothers Joe and Sam; sister Antoinette Lascara; brother-in-law Bruce Orcutt; niece Rosina Resolute; and nephew Matt Russo.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Thursday, June 10, at Foster Funeral Home, 1926 High St., Portsmouth. A Mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated 11:00 a.m. Friday, June 11, at St. Paul Catholic Church, 522 High St.

The family would like to thank his true friend and physician Dr. Michael Camp for years of care, and the dedicated and wonderful Medi Home Health hospice staff. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Ronald McDonald House or Knights of Columbus #418 Scholarship Fund. Condolences may be registered at BWFosterFuneralHome.com.