Thursday, October 1, 2026
Long Beach resident Dante Russo turned 100 on Aug. 7, and he spent the day as he usually does: giving back to the community.
Every weekday, after attending mass, Russo volunteers at the Beach Catholic Outreach Program’s Soup Kitchen and Food Pantry at St. Mary’s Parish Hall in Long Beach. It’s a routine that he says keeps him engaged with the community, but this particular Thursday was anything but routine.
Fellow volunteers, staff and members of his family surprised Russo at the parish hall with a special celebration honoring his landmark birthday and his dedication. The Rev. Steven McClernon, associate pastor of Beach Catholic, presented him with a Certificate of Appreciation signed by Outreach Coordinator Maryann Jozkowski.
“It’s an inspirational lesson to us to never stop serving,” McClernon said. “If he can do it, we all can. And he does it with so much joy and love. He’s a lot of fun to be around.”
Russo, who was born and raised in Brooklyn, attended the former La Salle Military Academy in Oakdale. “I needed some discipline in those days,” he recalled.
He went on to study at St. John’s University, and he and his wife, Josephine, moved from Brooklyn to Lido Beach in the 1960s, where they raised eight children. Josephine died two years ago.
“They made a great team,” his son Vincent Russo, owner of the Russo Law Group in Lido Beach, said. “My dad was always working, providing for his family and striving to give us a better life. He spent any down time he had with his family, taking us to Met games or to the beach. Family’s everything to him.”
Russo owned a successful catering hall in Queens for over 50 years. Vincent recalled how his father always took the time to help other business owners who were struggling.
“I remember his taking me to buy a Christmas tree for a family who couldn’t afford one that year,” he said. “My father, to this day, has an incredible positive attitude, which is guided by his faith. We have a large immediate family, and his turning 100 is so great — it gives us hope that we can follow in the same path.”
Russo has 20 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren, many of whom attended his birthday festivities. His grandson Robert Russo called his grandfather “a natural patriarch.”
“He fits the role so easily,” Robert Russo said. “He’s a real source of wisdom, unconditional love and encouraging spirit. His faith is extremely important to him. It forms his disposition, and the way he engages with the world. It explains why he’s so grounded and happy at 100 years old — he’s full of gratitude and positivity.”
Linda Martin, one of the 100 volunteers at Beach Catholic’s Soup Kitchen and Pantry, said that she had to ask again when someone first told her Russo’s age.
“He’s amazing,” Martin said. “He packs lunches, packs produce, moves tables and boxes, whatever we need for him to do. He also still drives, still shops and cooks Italian food for himself.”
The facility’s coordinator, Maryann Jozkowski, agreed that Russo’s presence is not only helpful, but deeply meaningful.
“This place is a vital resource in the community, feeding about 100 people fresh meals every weekday and distributing around 700 grocery bags every month,” Jozkowski said. “We also provide clothing, backpacks and school supplies, and so much more. All is donated by generous parishioners, local residents and area businesses.”
This special place gives back to Russo as well, he told the Herald.
“After losing Josephine, this community kept me active, engaged and alive,” he said. “Jesus’s example is everything to me, and helping people in need is something I always did and wanted to do. It’s just a part of me.”
