Gilda (Milano) Chirafisi-Russonello

VERO BEACH, FL - Gilda R. Russonello was born December 25, 1927 to Salvatore and Asunta (Carrano) Milano in New Haven, Connecticut. She died August 1, 2022 in Vero Beach FL at age 94.

Gilda attended Connecticut Teachers College and the Yale School of Drama. While at Yale she partnered with classmate Paul Newman in numerous two-person class learning exercises.  Gilda was hired by Western Union and shortly thereafter became the first woman Station Manager in the nationwide system.  She spent a few years in summer stock productions as actress, prop manager, costume and set design before moving to New York City to become "the best actress ever."  While pursuing that career she took a job as secretary to the Dean at Mills College of Education where circumstances encouraged her to further develop her sense of fashion and the importance of looking her best, which continued for life.

Gilda married Dominick Chirafisi in St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City.

Gilda began a 25-year career at Columbia University in the Building and grounds department, Medical School, and finally as Director of Special Events at Columbia School of Law. During the Bicentennial year of The U.S. Constitution, she planned and produced a six-day event attended by Chief Justices from the Supreme Courts of ten countries, including The United States. The event concluded with a quiet dinner for 3,000 people.  When the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that women could not be excluded from membership in service club organizations, Gilda was invited to join the Rotary Club of Riverdale (Bronx NY).

After serving as Rotary President twice, she was selected to be District Governor of District 7230 (45 clubs) in the City of New York and Westchester County, NY. She was the first woman Governor of that district and one of the first eight women in the U.S. and the world, to serve as Governor (Rotary Year 95-96). While Governor, Gilda welcomed the - then new - Gift of Life program to the district and later became Vice Chair and then Chairman of Gift of Life 7230. During her 15 years with GOL 7230 she personally arranged for about 200 children around the world to come to New York City for repair of congenital heart issues.

When her husband Dominick died in 2008, she devoted her time to Rotary International and to Gift of Life 7230. In 2012 she married William (Bill) Russonello and the couple moved to Vero Beach, FL. Bill convinced her to enter the 2014 Ms. Senior Florida Pageant. She had a fun time competing and just being on stage again at age 86. She didn't become Ms. Senior Florida 2014 but won a trophy for "Best Philosophy of Life." Gilda was an elegant lady with a wonderful outlook on life.

In addition to her husband Bill, she is survived by her sister Marj Basili of Fort Lauderdale FL, nephews Giuseppe Basili of Reston VA, Gian Basili of St. Augestine FL, and Robert Basili of Bergan, Norway, two grand-nieces, two grand-nephews, sister-in-law Donna Merlino (Gino) of Staten Island NY and niece-in-law Dr. Phyllis Merlino Guastella, DDS (Joseph) of Staten Island NY. Also surviving are step-children Pamela Miller (Michael) of Smithtown NY, George Russonello (Cathy) of Staten Island NY, Michael Russonello (Jennifer) of Palm City FL, James Russonello of Staten Island NY, Patricia Finney (Jay) of Lake Forest Park WA, and step- grandchildren Olivia Finney, James Finney, William Russonello and Jake Russonello.

Donations to sponsor a child with heart health issues may be made to Gift of Life 7230 marked in honor of Gilda Chirafisi-Russonello to Metro Gift of Life, 9 Wildwood Road, East Chester, NY 10709.
 

A graveside interment service will be held on Friday June 9, 2023 at 11:30 AM at St. Lawrence Cemetery on Derby Ave. in West Haven, CT. The B.C. Bailey Funeral Home has been entrusted with Gilda's inurnment.  To leave a message of remembrance for her family please visit: www.BaileyCares.com.

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