Obituary of Joseph LoRusso

Joseph LoRusso, 92, of Reno, Nevada, formerly of Northport, New York passed away on Christmas morning, 2016 in Sparks, Nevada. Beloved husband of the late Rita and loving father of Lawrence (Frances), Robert, Angela Mack, and Gerard (Martha). He is also survived by ten grandchildren, fifteen great grandchildren and one great-great grandchild. Knowing Christ and making Him known was the passion of Joseph's life. He bloomed wherever he was planted. In his many years of living in Northport, on Long Island, he and his loving wife Rita faithfully ministered in the prisons twice a week. He was also very active in teaching Bible studies in his local church, as well as serving as a Eucharistic minister. They spent considerable time each year in Aruba, where they obtained dual citizenship. There they pioneered a prison ministry to maximum security inmates and spent countless hours sharing the love of Christ with those incarcerated. They also established a ministry to severely handicapped adults by taking them on many beach outings. Rita and Joe were affectionately referred to as Nonni and Poppy both by their grandchildren and all those they ministered to. Joe later lived in El Paso, Texas, with his son Gerard, daughter in law Martha, and precious granddaughter Isabella, where he served as both a prison minister and Eucharistic minister. His last home was in Reno, Nevada, living with his son Robert. While in Reno he enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and great grandchildren, attending St Thomas Aquinas Church, and walking along the Truckee River. His son Robert cared for him selflessly, until his promotion to heaven.