Russell N. Certo

He was born Sept. 24, 1937 in Detroit, Michigan, the son of Ann Palermo Certo. His family moved to Jamestown in 1949.

Russell was a 1955 graduate of Jamestown High School and a 1959 graduate of Kent State University with a bachelor’s degree in marketing and economics. Following college, he embarked upon a career in public service with Chautauqua County and subsequently followed his dream as an entrepreneur.

Russell worked in the County’s Probation Department for 13 years as an officer and supervisor. He also served on the Board of Directors and became President of the Civil Service Employees Association where he negotiated contracts for CSEA Union members.

Prior to leaving County employment, Russell held Director level roles overseeing both the Manpower and the Comprehensive Employment and Training Act (CETA) programs and as Coordinator of the New Economic Process which was responsible for creating the North County Industrial Council consisting of representatives from several local unions and company executives. In this position he created several company labor-management committees both in the private and public sectors.

In 1980, along with three partners, he purchased Jamestown Pre Cast Burial Vault Company. He later became sole owner and expanded the business by purchasing Hildom Block Company which became Jamestown Block Company. He ran both businesses until his retirement in 1996.

Russell was a member of Moonbrook Country Club and the Legends Golf and Country Club in Ft Meyers Florida. He was a very proud two-time winner of the Italian-American Charity Golf Tournament with partner David Dawson. His love of golf was capped by four holes-in-one. He enjoyed spending time with his family and friends in Jamestown and Florida, where with his wife, they maintained a winter residence for over twenty five years. He was also a life-long fan of the Buffalo Bills.

Surviving is the love of his life, Alice Phillips Certo whom he married Apr. 4, 1959 in St. John’s Catholic Church; a daughter Kristen (Steven) Stoeltzing of New Bern, NC; two sons: Gregory (Linda) Certo of Jamestown; Brian Certo (Barrie Kinney) of Naples, FL; four grandchildren: Daniel (Aaztli) Stoeltzing, Kaylea Stoeltzing (Kyle), Claire Certo, and Nicholas (Mikayla) Certo.

Besides his mother he was preceded in death by a brother Anthony Certo and a sister Diane Forsberg.

The funeral service for Russell will be held at 12 p.m. Saturday (August 16, 2025) in Christ Chapel of the Lutheran Home (715 Falconer St., Jamestown). Rev. Laura Cselak will officiate. Burial will be in Lake View Cemetery.

Prior to the service, friends will be received by the family from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Christ Chapel.

Memorial contributions may be donated to American Cancer Society or the Italian-American Charity Golf Association, P O Box 352, Jamestown, NY 14702-0352 Visit our website at www.falconerfuneralhome.net to send a message of condolence.