Andrew J. Russo Jr. (‘Coach’) Obituary

Kingwood, TX – Louisiana has lost a Hall of Famer, standout player at Fortier High School, legendary coach at Brother Martin High School, and of the best joke tellers to ever take the hardwood. “Coach” Andrew J. Russo, Jr., age 85, passed peacefully from this world on Thursday, May 21, 2026. His loving wife, right-hand, and inseparable life partner of more than 52 years, Judy Russo, was at his side. While he lived the last 40 years of his life in Kingwood, Texas, his home turf was the City of New Orleans, where he was born on June 7, 1940. After graduating with a B.S. Degree in Education, in 1965 from the University of Southwestern Louisiana, he received a Master of Education from Nicholls State University, in 1978. He used his skills as a teacher to build an illustrious career as a head basketball coach and later as a VP of Sales and Marketing in the food service and refrigeration industry. He is survived by his wife, Judy Russo; his son, Rhett Russo, and Rhett’s mother, Sharon Grebe; his grandchildren, Sebastian and Francisca Russo; and his niece, Ashley Schields Sax (Mike). He was preceded in death by his parents, Andrew Russo, Sr. and Rosemarie Russo; his sister, Karen Schields (Arnold “Skip”); and his stepson, Michael Silvia, survived by his wife, Heidi. We invite all who knew and loved Andy to join us in honoring his memory on Friday, June 5, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. in the chapel at Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home, 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd. in New Orleans. The visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m. until service time. The interment will follow in Metairie Cemetery. In remembrance of Andy’s life and love, the family asks that any charitable donations be made to Brother Martin High School of New Orleans, www.brothermartin.com. To view and sign the online guest book and/or view the livestream of the service, please visit LakeLawnMetairie.com.

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Footnote by Ed Dugas. Early notification by Jimmy Dykes.

Click here for Andy’s Athletic Network Profile for a most interesting read. https://athleticnetwork.net/profile/andrew-russo/

Andy played for UL Basketball, Coach Shipley, from 1962-65 and coached the freshman team in 1965-66.
Peace, Ed Dugas
athleticnetwork@louisiana.edu