Raymond "Kotchie" Russo

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 AM on Monday, June 2, 2025, at St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church, 300 Pere Megret St., Abbeville, celebrating the life of Raymond “Kotchie” Daniel Russo, 91, who passed away the morning of Wednesday, May 28, 2025. A rosary will be prayed at 10:00 AM. He will be laid to rest next to his parents, Joseph David “Papa Joe” Russo and Caroline Josephine Russo in St. Mary Magdalen Cemetery with Reverend Daniel Picard officiating the services.

Kotchie Russo was born in Abbeville in 1933 and spent his entire life there. Russo served four years in the United States Marine Corps from 1951-1954. Upon his Honorable Discharge in 1954, he returned home to work with the Abbeville Bottle Works.

In 1971 Russo formed R.D. Sales & Services, Inc. A wholesale alcohol, soft drink, and snack food distributorship covering Vermilion Parish. He successfully ran the company until his retirement in early 2021—50 years.

In his middle years, Russo was active in local civic organizations. He was a member of the Abbeville Kiwanis Club, and in the mid-1980s served as its President. He was also a member of the Abbeville High Boosters’ Club, and the LSU Tiger Athletic Foundation.

A life-long LSU sports fan, he never missed a chance to attend a home game and cheer for the fighting Tigers.

He is survived by his sons, David Russo, and Russell Russo and his wife Jennifer; grandchildren, Rebecca, Alayna, and Nicholas Russo; brother, William “Bubba” Russo and wife Patricia; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Caroline Russo; brothers, Peter, David, and Robert Russo; and sisters, Theresa Russo Bourgeois and Josephine Ann Russo.