Dr. Lawrence Dirusso

A mass of Christian burial will be held at 10:00 AM on Saturday at St. Michael’s Church with Father Terry Hazel officiating, for Dr. Lawrence DiRusso who died Monday morning following an accident at his home. He was born October 9, 1930 in Lowellville, the youngest son of Achille and Adeline (Vespasian) DiRusso. A 1948 Lowellville High School Graduate, DiRusso received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Youngstown State University in 1954; his Master’s degree from Kent State University in 1960; and his Ed. D. degree from Case Western Reserve University in 1966. He did post doctorate studies at the University of Nebraska and KSU. As a young man, he worked in his family’s Golden Dawn Grocery Store in Lowellville as well as in the Blast Furnace at Sharon Steel while attending college. Following his military service in 1954 through 1956 in Meinz, Germany as a 1st Lieutenant in the U.S. Army’s 2nd Armor Division, DiRusso was a teacher at East High School in Youngstown from 1956 to 1965. In 1965, he started at YSU fulltime as an Assistant Professor in the Economics Department. Upon receiving his doctoral degree, he transferred to the School of Education as an Associate Professor in the Foundations of Education Department. In 1968, he developed the Department of Guidance and Counseling and was the Department Chairman from 1968 to 1978. Mr. DiRusso retired from teaching in 1996. Larry was a member of many national and state professional associations for counselors, psychologists and educators. He was very active in initiating and participating in Ohio counseling associations. He presented several papers at state and national conferences and had numerous publications. He was a licensed psychologist and licensed professional clinical counselor in Ohio. Larry was also a member of the Northeastern Tree Association and loved gardening, and tree conservation. Mr. DiRusso is survived by his wife, the former Madeline Carano, whom he married August 22, 1953 and three sons: David (Rebecca) DiRusso, and Robert A. DiRusso both of Canfield, and Lawrence N. DiRusso of Berlin Center. He also leaves two brothers: Frank (Antoinette) DiRusso of Lowellville and Augustine (Jeannie) DiRusso of Sun City, Florida. Lawrence is also survived by two grandsons: Dante and Gavin DiRusso. Family and friends may call from 2-4 and 6-8 PM on Friday at the Lane Funeral Home Canfield Chapel. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to the Dr. Lawrence DiRusso Counseling Scholarship Fund, Youngstown State University, Office of University Development, One University Plaza, Youngstown, Ohio 44555.