EAST LIVERPOOL – Elio P. “Leo” Lerussi, Sr., 87, of Ninth Avenue in East Liverpool, passed away following a lengthy illness early Monday morning, February 20, 2017, at East Liverpool City Hospital.

Elio was born in Wellsville on October 22, 1929, a son of the late Martino and Rosa Barbierio Lerussi. “Leo”, as he was known to everyone, was a 1948 graduate of East Liverpool High School.

Leo was a retired stonemason and bricklayer; he began work as a journeyman apprentice following in his father's trade immediately after graduating high school beginning with the former McClain Firebrick Plant of Wellsville and later the Fred Dando Brickyard in Wellsville. It later became Swank Refractories, where Leo retired after 35 years of service. Leo also had his own construction company, Lerussi & Son, where Leo continued to last work until the age of 82. Leo worked on many buildings and projects in and around the East Liverpool area and was responsible for much of the stone work in Thompson Park, such as the Time Capsule, the Stone Amphitheater, Stone Childrens' play house, the pavers and entrance way surrounding the main flag pole and other buildings and structures in the park. In addition, he had done extensive stone work in the original Diamond and stone planters around the City.

A lifelong member of Holy Trinity Parish at St. Aloysius Church, he was an active leader in both Cub Scouts Pack 43 and Boy Scouts Troop 43 serving as Cub Scout Pack Leader and Scoutmaster as well as a Brotherhood member of the Order of the Arrow. Leo served as a District Committeeman in the former Columbiana Council and was awarded the Silver Beaver Award. He also enjoyed woodworking as a hobby, but his greatest love was the time he spent with his grandchildren.

His wife, Margaret “Margie” Lerussi, whom he married in 1958, preceded him in death on June 5, 2013.

Leo is survived by his son, Lee Lerussi, and his wife Christine, and their children: Caitlin Marie Lerussi, Christian Elio Lerussi, and Connor William Lerussi, of East Liverpool. Also surviving are his sisters, Theresa Camaioni of Chippewa, and Mary Williams of High Point, NC.

In addition to his parents, Elio was preceded by a brother, Oliver Lerussi.

Friends may visit Thursday afternoon and evening at the Dawson Funeral Home, where the family will be present from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m.

Father Steve Wassie will preside at a Catholic Funeral Liturgy at 11:00 a.m. Friday at the James J. Hocking Center (former St. Aloysius School). Burial will take place at Columbiana County Memorial Park. Following the burial, family and friends will gather at the Dawson Family Center for a time of fellowship.

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