Concetta Russo Hake, 91, passed away Tuesday, July 8, 2025. She was born in Riardo, Caserta, Italy.
Her father, James Russo was Italian American and met her mother, Emilia Fiore in Italy where they were married. When Concetta was 3 years old, the family moved to her father’s hometown, New Castle, PA where Concetta lived until she was 30 years old. Concetta’s husband, George “Fred”, was in the Navy and the family moved around the country and lived in California, Illinois, Virginia, Florida, and back to Newport News, VA where she had been a resident since 1973.
Concetta loved taking her children to see everything their new homes had to offer as they traveled around the country. The local zoo, parks, museums, and beaches were visited frequently. As the children got older and grandchildren came along, Concetta’s home became a gathering place for all of them.
Concetta had a deep Catholic faith and shared it with everyone she knew. Once they settled in Newport News, Concetta traveled as much as she could making religious pilgrimages to Fatima, Portugal; Rome, Italy; Betania, Venezuela; and 3 times to Medugorje, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Mrs. Hake was preceded in death by her parents, James and Emilia Russo; her husband, George F. Hake Sr; a son, James Hake and her brother, Angelo Russo. She is survived by two sons, George Hake (Yvette), and Christopher Hake (Betty); one daughter, Laura Brinkley (Brian) all of Newport News, VA and numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and other extended family and friends.
A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, July 23, 2025, at St. Jerome Catholic Church by the Rev. George Prado. Inurnment will follow at the church columbarium.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Jerome Catholic Church, 116 Denbigh Blvd., Newport News, VA 23608.
