Thomas Louis Russ, age 65, of Irwin, died on Friday October 27, 2023 after an almost 3 year battle with cancer. He was born in McKeesport on March 30, 1958 and is the son of the late Thomas Frank and Louise Mogus Russ. Thomas worked as a mill worker before retiring as a pipe fitter for People’s Gas in 2014. In his retirement, Thomas loved to spend time in his garage, where he could fix any lawnmower, and do all sorts of woodworking. He had a real creative eye for refurbishing and restoring furniture and building fixtures. Outside of his garage, Thomas loved to fish and boat, and especially to garden, growing cucumbers, peppers, eggplants, and most numerously tomatoes. Thomas was the gardener of the neighborhood and provided for all his neighbors. He was a former member of the General Smedley D. Butler Post 701 White Oak American Legion.
Thomas is survived by his significant other of 27 years, Mary Kay Coyne, his children Erica Russ of McKeesport, and Josh (Jenn) Russ of North Huntingdon, grandchildren Noah and Nolan Russ, and his sister, Amy (Kevin) Polidora, of Ambridge. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, Thomas is predeceased by his sister Denise Grayson.
Family and friends will gather at Strifflers of White Oak Cremation and Mortuary Services, Inc., 1100 Lincoln Way, White Oak, PA, 15131 (Sue Striffler Galaski, supervisor, 412-678-6177) on Monday, October 30, 2023 from 4:00pm until 8:00pm. Services will take place Tuesday, October 31, 2023 in the funeral home chapel at 10:30am.
To share a memory or condolence, please visit www.strifflerfuneralhomes.com