I remember the boy's death in 1964

His brother sat next to me in a class in Junior High when it happened. I believe the family moved after that.

Lawsuits have been filed...  I saw a lawyer on TV talking about how you can now file suit.  Jeff Anderson is the lawyer in NYC.   

I'm not sure Russo is gone.  I started this thread years ago and in one of the posts I left my phone number.  I got a call last month from a law office on Long Island inquiring about this whole story.  It seems that the statue of limitations for civil cases of child abuse has been lifted for one year, from Aug. 2019 until Aug. 2020.  Some one has filed a civil suit against Russo.  While I was never a victim, and every thing I know has been posted here, I had little to add to the story.  The law office was unaware of this blog until after they started to research for information and the victim also had no  prior knowledge of what has been posted here.  As of last month, apparently Russo is still alive and still lives upstate NY.  My estimation is he is 89 or 90 years old, I hope justice works quickly.

If you were a victim and feel a need for some type of closure or resolve to the situation you were subjected to, I suggest you contact a lawyer that may be able to help you out.

Let's make 2018 the kick start year to protect
kids online current events and to do list.

Before your child enters the online world, he should be consistently demonstrating the admirable character traits youre striving to cultivatesuch as kindness, restraint, tolerance, inclusivenessbecause they will get tested.--Letting Go With Love and Confidence, by Kenneth Ginsburg and Susan FitzGerald.

 SOCIAL MEDIA AND CHILD SAFETY

The aforementioned bill, H.R.1865, entitled "Allow States and Victims to Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act of 2017 passed the Senate on March 21 and is currently awaiting President Donald Trumps signature. Commonly referred to as FOSTA, the bill amends section 230 of the Communications Act of 1934 (which prevents platforms like Facebook from being held liable in situations of harassment, hate speech, cyberbullying, etc.), to make websites criminally liable for knowingly hosting, assisting, supporting, or facilitating sex trafficking.

Exploring the hidden dangers of Social Media - Social Media and the growth of Child Trafficking - News and Updates Social Media and Children Protection

Silicon Valley once promised its digital revolution would bring people together and topple dictators. The total opposite has accrued!  Read the book: Move Fast and Break Things.

pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/secrets-of-the-vatican -The Report of the Commission to Inquire Into Child Abuse reveals an uncomfortable history of Ireland, says The Irish Times. According to the newspaper, this report uncovers a history stained by the systematic abuse of children in Catholic religious institutions, ranging from beating children whose crime it was that lice had infested their heads to sustained sexual abuse. The abuse was ignored because of misguided loyalty to the absolute authority of the Catholic Church, says the paper. Shame on You, Government and Church, said a headline in the Times, quoting the words of one who sympathized with the victims.

I had similar experiences and agree....1974.

What really gets me is that not one of his coworkers or superiors never did a damn thing about this sick individual!!!

If I knew one of my coworkers or friends was doing this i would beat the hell out of them, then call the 7th pct! They just allowed this to continue when they knew what was going on and i know several who knew what was happening and did not say a word!!!

It really turns my stomach to know that these people were in charge of children and turned a blind eye to this kind of activity. 

I played JV soccer for Doc Heinz in 1971 and 72.  He was a very weird guy--and a pretty bad coach.  He didn't really know much about soccer, that's for sure.  Once he piled a bunch of us int he back oh his VW van, where we found a box of condoms.  Nothing all that strange about that.  He also would take us back to his apartment, saying he left something there, although I never went inside.  I do remember he had a really bad temper.  We all assumed he was gay.

I had Klaus for driver's ed.  he also had a bad temper. He took us (2 guys and 2 girls) to his house a number of times by Calvert Shopping center.  He would regale us with tales of his sexual conquests.  Incredibly inappropriate behavior.  I always thought he was a major creeper. 

I know of nothing about these guys that was anything more than  inappropriate.  Nothing illegal.  I had heard rumors that Russo was gay.  One of the reasons I stopped playing soccer is that I dindn't want to play for Russo because I just thought he gave off a really weird vibe.  I also recall hearing a lot of stories about the art teacher, Mr. Jolicour (sic), but that just might have been the high school gossip mill.

I was in the class of 65 and went to Louie's several times..we all thought Louie was gay but we didn't say anything because if our parents got wind of it we wouldn't be able to go..there were all kinds of stories going around but all the times i was there nothing happened.i can only remember on time i was sleeping and Louie came rushing in to the bedroom and jmped in the bed screaming there was a bat..there was a at but we always had bats we got at the cave..i let it go but never went back..we did a lot of things my parents wuld have flipped out if they knew.i think if this happened today there would be a problem.i knew alot of guys said they played along because they always wanted to get invited back..as Louie told the story of the 64 accident he should not have run the river at that time of year because t was running too fast because of the spring run off.i dont know anything more but there was no supervision at all up at the lake.you fired weapons, drank and ran wild which was why we went up there.we were kids and this was cool ,who knew..we all knew what the score was and we are all to blame,if we had said something in 64 our little brothers wouldn't have gone through this.i also went sailing with doc h once again nothing happened ad we had a good time and learned to sail. im sorry for everyone's bad experiences and very sorry to the families for the needless deaths that probably could have been averted.

I sure am glad that the obit. was posted for Robert Delmonte and we can clear Russo of that.  Under no circumstances is this a witch hunt to any degree,  only a chance for people to share any contact or experience that they may have had with Lou Russo.

Unfortunitly, the one post that is most insightful is anonymous, but no one would expect a name on that post.  To those people who had a positive experience with Russo and the lake house, that's great,  I would expect that if he was abusing kids, that he wouldn't abuse everyone that crossed his path.  

It was a long time ago, but today, as parents, grandparents, educators, or just adults, we still need to be able to protect children for abusers.  If Russo was a child molester, and I am not saying he was, he was able to hide it from parents, administrators, and other students.  We all need to be aware for what is happening to the children in our lives and protect them.

I urge anybody with an experience, good or bad, with Lou Russo, to post.  If someone would like to contact me personally, I am open to discussion on the topic and can be reach at: 631-327 1141.

Richard Wolf

I graduated by PHS class of 70.  I had Russo for biology and he had strongly encouraged me to play soccer, as he was the soccer coach.  At some point in time, he had me go to his house with him.  He might have needed to get something for soccer practice, not sure the rationale for going there.  While I sat in the living room of the small house, he went into the bedroom, I believe.  I remember there were magazines, perhaps Playboy or porn.  While I looked through them, he was in the next room, asking me sexual questions.  We spoke about oral sex, and he asked me questions about what I like about it.  I stated something like the girl has to be good-looking, or something along those lines.  I recall we werent there long after that remark.

Through the rest of high school, I never went back to his residence.  I dont recall any other strange episodes with him.

Years later I became a teacher and coach while living in Ohio and Florida.  I have thought numerous times about that time at Russos place, and how inappropriate, bizarre, and disturbing it was.  Now reading these comments on here, it is really disturbing that I never shared my experience with anyone.  Whether or not these deaths were accidental, it is horrifying to think about, and very disturbing to think of other children that were subjected to this sick, perverted man.

My heart goes out to all that were affected by this ill man.  My hope is that he changed his ways at some point in time, and that those affected by this man have recovered from him.  Those in any position of authority that prey on children are very sick, disturbed individuals with not much hope of ever overcoming their sickness.

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous & Curious wrote:

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 If it was more, and there were two, I would really like to know more facts of what happened. I did stop in to see him around 5 years ago while I was riding through the Adirondacks. Still strange. He's not getting any younger and I hope this just doesn't hang out there without any real facts. Please -if there is someone out there who can prove something - NOW is the time to do get it out for everyones sake.

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 If you read one of the earlier posts from July - it was a first hand report.

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To Anonymous & Curious 

I have a copy of the newspaper article regarding the drowning of Bob Delmonte PHS class of 1969. Would you like to read it? I uploade his obit for you to read it at fileden.com/ Click on the url link below whom ever wants the facts regarding Bob Delmontes drowing. 

Kevin Cerciello PHS class of 1970

 

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Anonymous & Curious wrote:

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 If it was more, and there were two, I would really like to know more facts of what happened. I did stop in to see him around 5 years ago while I was riding through the Adirondacks. Still strange. He's not getting any younger and I hope this just doesn't hang out there without any real facts. Please -if there is someone out there who can prove something - NOW is the time to do get it out for everyones sake.

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 If you read one of the earlier posts from July - it was a first hand report.

I was not aware of this forum until just now.  I was friends with Bob Kelly.  One of his best friends was Steve Barsh, PHS '67, and we were discussing this very thing on fb only a week or so ago.  I remember how upset the whole school was, many students crying in the halls.  Bob Kelly was a very popular kid with a great personality.  I knew about the class trips with Russo & Heinz.  Russo asked me once if I was interested & I turned it down.  I was not comfortable with it.  I had heard all the rumors about the two teachers being gay lovers.  I felt something strange was going on.  They selected young boys who "stood out".  It could be by popularity, academics, or if they semed to be "troubled" or in some sort of trouble.  Gang members would also be invited.  The student was selected individually, one at a time.  The whole thing just made me too uncomfortable.  After Bob's death, it seemed to "quiet down" too quickly.  I never understood why there was no formal investigation.  These teachers were responsible for the well-being of these students.  Bob Kelly was dressed in heavy winter cloths with no floatation device when he went out in that canoe.  It should never have been allowed to happen!

All I can tell you is I graduated in '75, and I remember hearing about those trips still going on, and seeing Russo, and Leo Claus driving in and out of the HS parking lot with boy students in Russo's big black Ford bronco...I always thought it was an odd thing, but didn't really know what to make of it, at the time...I suspected something funny was going on....Also, didn't Mr.Claus, and Russo share a rented house together, or am I remembering that wrong?

I remember it was 1966, My brother wanted to go to Russo's cabin..Mom And Dad wanted to talk to Russo before letting him go..So with this Mom had Lou Russo and Doc Heintz over for dinner..And all through dinner Russo and Heintz was telling mom and dad how it was going to be a wonderful experience for the kids to learn about wood working and at the same time help build my cabin..and mom and dad thought it to be a wonderful idea..

   Well my brother did go..and i also remember my brother,after coming back from that trip.he was not the same,I always felt that he was always holding something inside him ..I remember always asking him what was wrong..but instead of talking to me like brothers do ..he would always start a fight or argument.At the time back in 66 and for years after that i could just never understand why he could never open up to me ..his own brother..but i just thought that was him.....but now that i been reading this page,I been beginning to wonder if this ever had something to do with it..and what did happen up at the cabin..and if Lou Russo and Doc Heintz did have anything to do with this ..that they should answer to this ..and why it was so hushed up for all these years?

I do know what he did up there he was a pedophile and child molestor i can personally attest to this because it ruined my life he would let kids get high and drunk perform oral sex on them i am still in threapy for this 35 years later i resorted to becoming an alcoholic and drug addict and still haunts me to this day he ruined a helpless teens life so i am a caualty of the sadistic **** i wish i was able to sue plainedge and mr russo but the statue of limitations have run out he from last word still picks up young kids to this day and sexually abuses them many of days i have considered ending my life due to the trauma he has caused me or ending that bastards life however i am in recovery and have had very good succes with psycologists but i was dead inside for many many years and he claims to be a christian who attends church maybe to pick up alter boys he entices children with letting them do as they please (target shooting drugs and alcohol dirtbike riding and boats then will put on a porn when you are so stoned or drunk and take advantage of these innocent children may he rot in hell and after seeing this i may contact the warren county sherrif to keep an eye on him.

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Keep Your Children Safe!

An abuser is likely to be too clever to use force on his victims. Rather, he may prefer to seduce children gradually. He begins by selecting a target, often a child who seems vulnerable and trusting, thus relatively easy to control. Next, he singles out that child for special attention. He may also try to win the trust of the childs parents. Molesters are often expert at pretending to be sincerely interested in the child and the family.

In time, the molester will begin grooming the child for abuse. He gradually becomes more physical with the child through innocent-looking displays of affection, playful wrestling, and tickling. He may give generous gifts and begin to separate the child from friends, siblings, and parents, in order to spend time alone with the child. At some point he may ask the child to keep some minor secret from the parentsperhaps a gift or plans for some future excursion. Such tactics set the stage for seduction. When the abuser has won the childs trust and that of the parents, he is ready to make his move.

Again, he is likely to be subtle about it rather than violent or forceful. He may exploit the childs natural curiosity about sex, offering to act as a teacher, or he may suggest that they play a special game together that only they will know about. He may try exposing the child to pornography in order to make such behavior seem normal.

If he succeeds in molesting the child, he is now eager to ensure that the child does not tell anyone about it. He may use a variety of tactics, including threats, blackmail, and blame, or perhaps a combination of these. For example, he may say: Its your fault. You didnt tell me to stop. He may add: If you tell your parents, theyll call the police and send me to jail forever. Or he may say: Its our secret. If you tell, no one will believe you. If your parents ever do find out, I will hurt them. There is no end to the devious and malicious tactics such individuals will try.

Ok, so here is the story as I remember it. I'm not sure why this story haunts me the way it does, maybe it was the loss of innocence. Some background; I'm not sure how many people will know me, my name is Richard Wolf, class of 1966. I am the OP of this tread. I wasn't overly popular, nor overly social, I lived at the far North end of the district, no car, overly protective parents, played sports, stayed out of trouble. You may remember my brother, Henry Tiger Wolf, big guy that played basketball, class of 1965.

So in 1963/64 I was a sophomore. I had Mr Russo for biology. I had heard that he would invite students upstate to his vacation house. I had a friend in the class, Marcus. One day, Russo called Marcus in the lab room, remember there was an office, perp room, lab in between the two bio classroom. I was sitting in the front row, far left seat by the window. I was the only one with a line of sight into the perp room and could see Russo and Marcus. Russo punched Marcus very hard in the stomach, Marcus doubled over. Russo put his finger in Marcus's face and said, you don't ever tell anyone what we really do up at the house. I was completely unable to process what I saw and heard. I asked Marcus about it, but he would never talk about it, ever.

I think this must have happened mid year, because 1964 was the year of the fire. It took place over Easter vacation I think. If I recall, didn't it start in the bio prep room, I know the bio rooms were very badly damaged, because we finished the year in another room, with Russo reading us adventure stories out of Men's magazine saying the stories all took place by his vacation home. It was the following year that Bobby Kelly drowned while up at Russo house, 1965. You would think that this would have been the end of Russo vacations', but obviously not, and 5 years later another student drowns?

So here are the questions that I dwell on;

If I had said something, would things have been different?

What was going on upstate? Sex, drugs, alcohol, something else?

Was the fire in the bio rooms a coincidence or some type of payback or attempt to rid someone of a bad memory?

After Bobby Kelly died, how come nothing seemed to happen, how come the school administration didn't put a stop to the trips?

Why where the trips ever allowed in the first place, Russo, a confirmed bachelor taking boys away on vacation?

I know it was a long time ago, and I don't recall this being an issue when I was younger, but for some reason, the last ten years or so I have spent some time thinking about it.

I am sorry if I am tarnishing anyone's memory of high school or stirring up suppressed felling in Bobby Kelly's family, and maybe I have just had to many sleepless night with a over active imagination. I don't know what happen 44 years ago, but maybe someone else knows the real story and would like to share some repressed secrets.

Here are some problems I may have with the time line. It is possible that this did not happen in my sophomore year, maybe, and I don't recall, but I may have had Russo for home room my Jr. or Senior year and this incident could have happened in HR. I don't think so, because then it would have been post accident which really would have blown my mind.

So, if anyone reading this can add to, or clarify the facts, maybe I will sleep better, maybe not.

Richard

This story about Bobby Kelly is very weird. My second cousin, Bobby Delmonte also drowned while on a camping trip at Russo's vacation home. This happened in 1969 or 1970

Lou Russo had two deaths on camping trips at his Brandt Lake vacation house.

I vaguely remember it being one of the McConnell brothers.