Dominick A. Russo of Sharon, Pa., died on March 8, 2017, in University of Pittsburgh's Presbyterian Hospital. He was 84 years old.

He was born on Nov. 25, 1932, in Farrell, Pa., the son and youngest child of Rose Cerasuolo Russo and Dominick Russo.

Dominick was a 1950 graduate of Farrell High School, and upon graduation, enlisted in the United States Air Force where he served in the Korean War. He was honorably discharged in January 1954. He graduated from Youngstown State University with a B.S. in Education in 1959 and pursued graduate studies at Edinboro University.

Professionally, Dominick spent his career in education, where he taught biology and was the Science Department Chair at Struthers High School in Ohio for more than three decades. During his tenure, he led a team of his advanced biology students who performed the first successful frog heart transplant in the United States. Together with his education colleague at Struthers, Daniel Mamula, they developed the "Struthers Total Environmental Education Program," a multi-year initiative funded by the State of Ohio and the City of Struthers. It was the first program of its kind in the United States incorporating environmental science with social studies in an urban outdoor classroom laboratory. The State of Ohio Department of Education recognized their cutting-edge work and their published book became a stand-alone education course centered in Struthers' Yellow Creek Park.

When Kennedy Christian (Catholic) High School opened in Hermitage, Pa., in 1966, he partnered with his lifelong friend, Joseph Scarvell. Together they launched the KCHS Performing Arts Program in which Scarvell directed the stage productions and Dom designed the scenery.

Throughout his life Dom was very active in community service and was a proud Italian-American. In 2003, he received the Italian-American Distinguished Service Award from the United Lodge of Pennsylvania's Order of the Sons of Italy. He was a member of Farrell Italian Home, Italian-American War Veterans and a member and officer of Farrell American Legion Post 160.

For 20 years, he was a director of the City of Sharon School Board. He served as president from 1992-1993, vice president from 1989-1992 and once more from 1993 until he stepped down in 2007. For many years, he served on the education board of directors of Midwestern Intermediate Unit IV, serving the 27 school districts in Butler, Lawrence and Mercer counties. He was awarded their Distinguished Service Award.

Dominick served on the City of Sharon Recreation Board, the Sharon City Planning Commission, and for three decades on the City of Sharon Democratic Commission and was the recipient of their Outstanding Service Award in 2002. He was acknowledged by the Mercer County Commissioners' Office and honored with their Special Recognition Award in 2003. Dominick received the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania House of Representatives Citation in 2003 and the City of Sharon Mayor's Office proclaimed Oct. 19, 2003, "Dominick A. Russo Day."

Dominick was preceded in death by his parents and his wife Mary Aiello Russo, with whom he was married for 57 years.

He was a lifelong member of Our Lady of Fatima Church, Farrell, Pa. He also belonged to the former St. Stanislaus-Holy Trinity Church in Sharon, Pa. He was a long-term active member of the Knights of Columbus. Dom cultivated orchids and fruit trees and enjoyed woodworking, often making hand-crafted gifts for family and friends. There are also several of his paintings, his treasures, hanging in his home.

Dominick is survived by: his two children, Robert D. Russo and Amy Augustine, and two grandsons, Cody C. Augustine and Dominick M. Augustine.

He also is survived by his brother-in-law, Joseph R. Aiello and his wife, Bernice; his sisters, Amelia (Emily) Guerrero of Oceanside, Calif., and Victoria Fanelli; his brother Daniel; and several nieces and nephews. Dom's life was abundantly blessed with wonderful friends and colleagues.

Calling hours: In keeping with Dominick's personal wishes, there will be no visitation.

Services: Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated for Dominick in Our Lady of Fatima Church in Farrell at a later date to be announced.

Funeral arrangements by J. BRADLEY McGONIGLE FUNERAL HOME and CREMATORY Inc., 1090 E. State St., Sharon.

Interment: St. Anthony's Cemetery, Hermitage.