Deacon Anthony J. Russo, a retired deacon at Guardian Angel parish, Brighton Beach, died Jan. 20 at New York Methodist Hospital, Park Slope. He was 88.

Born in Brooklyn, he was baptized in Our Lady of Peace Church, Park Slope, and attended Manual Training H.S., Park Slope, L.I.U. and New York University.

After military service in the European theater during World War II, he worked as a teacher in the New York public schools. He was ordained to the permanent diaconate by Bishop Thomas V. Daily on May 5, 1990.

He was the recipient of the Catholic Teacher’s Award, the Hispanic Teacher’s Award and the N.Y.C. Board of Education ESL Director Award.

He retired from active duty at Guardian Angel in 1996.

Deacon Russo’s remains were cremated.

Bishop DiMarzio will celebrate a memorial Mass at a future date.