Anthony Russomanno

Madison - Anthony David Russomanno died at UW Hospital on March 16, 2025, after a five-year fight with cancer. Anthony was an extraordinary person. His kindness, intellect, and humor are irreplaceable, and his family and friends will miss him terribly.

Anthony was born in St. Louis, Missouri on January 22, 1979, and grew up there. His parents, LaVerne (Boes) and James (Jim) Russomanno, loved him fiercely and could not have been more proud of the man he became. Anthony was grateful to have LaVerne living near to him in Madison for the last 10 years.

Anthony earned his undergraduate degree at the University of Missouri in Columbia, Missouri, and stayed there for several years after college, living the barista life with good friends. He then attended the University of Illinois College of Law, earning his J.D. with highest honors. He clerked for the Missouri Supreme Court and the Wisconsin Court of Appeals before joining the Wisconsin Department of Justice as an Assistant Attorney General. He was dedicated to his work at DOJ and respected by all, appreciated not only for his skill as an appellate litigator and manager but for his mentorship and generosity.

During his third year of law school, Anthony fell in love with Sarah Painter at the cite-checking table for the University of Illinois Law Review. They settled in Madison and married several years later. Anthony’s admiration and love for Sarah only grew deeper over the course of their 15-year marriage.

Anthony was the proudest, most loving Papa to their two boys, Leonardo (Leo) and Franklin. He spent countless hours reading to Leo and Franklin and playing games with them. The boys learned from Anthony’s appreciation for adventure and his witty explanations of life’s big questions.

In addition to Sarah, Leo, and Franklin, and his mother LaVerne, Anthony is survived by many family and friends who held him dear, including his brother David (Theresa) Russomanno and nephew Evan; his aunt Christine (Ron) Wenberg; his parents-in-law Julie and Jerry Painter; his four siblings-in-law and their spouses and kids; and his cousins and their families. He was preceded in death by his father, Jim, and his Aunt Pat (Patricia Boes).

A memorial service will be held at 6:00 p.m. on Friday, April 4, 2025, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 5602 Irongate Drive, Madison, with a visitation starting at 4:00 p.m. Anthony was buried at Forest Hill Cemetery in Madison in a small service for immediate family.

Anthony’s family thanks the health care teams and researchers who helped him in his cancer battle. With their support and his tenacious desire to keep going, Anthony hoped and fought until the end. Those wishing to provide a memorial donation may give to Carbone Cancer Center or any other organization meaningful to them.

To view and sign this guestbook, please visit: www.ryanfuneralservice.com.

Ryan Funeral Home & Cremation Services

2418 N. Sherman Avenue

608-249-8257