Emery, Russ Sacchi

Russ Sacchi Emery, 90, of Floyd, passed away on Sunday, March 16, 2008. Russ was born in Ansonia, Conn., on September 5, 1917, and grew up in Pawtucket, R.I.

He was a World War II veteran, serving in the Marine Corps on Guadalcanal, Guam and Tulagi for 34 months. After the war, he moved to New York to begin his singing career. He recorded for Coronet Records with Dick Stabile’s orchestra and Columbia Records on his own contract and with Percy Faith’s orchestra. He appeared at theaters and nightclubs throughout the United States and Canada, including several weeks engagements at the Copa Cabana and Paramount in New York. He had various radio shows, including WNEW N.Y., CBS radio with Martin Block Orchestra, and NBC radio. Russ appeared on several TV shows, including the Tonight Show, Mohawk Showroom, the Kate Smith Show, the Faye Emerson Show and others. From 1953 through 1955 he had his own TV show on WJAR in Providence, R.I. “New England Talent Scouts,” which was a pioneer in the variety show format.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Amo and Antonina Sacchi; brother, Henry Sacchi; sisters, Eva Tomelini and Marian Ridolfi; and grandson, Dean Gray. He is survived by his wife and companion of 31 years, Diane Pieters Emery; son and daughter-in-law, Byron and Cindy Gray; daughter and son-in-law, Heather Gray and Barry Crow; seven grandchildren, William Jefferis, Brandon Jefferis, Rebecca Strickland, Jessica Gray, Steve Heglar, Madison Gray and Erik Gray. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews in the New England area.

The family will receive friends on Wednesday, March 19, 2008, from 7 until 9 p.m. at Gardner Funeral Home, Floyd, Va.