WWF Hometown Favorite Nick Russo... aka Tony Martinelli...
Call him the Clifton Cutie... T
hrough the flickering black and white TV images of the 1960’s, Clifton residents may have caught a glimpse of Nick Russo, the “Clifton Cutie.” While he wrestled and was known by several names, the one he made most famous was Tony Martinelli. In a career that spanned 30 years, he made his debut at the age of 17. He went on to become a WWF—World Wrestling Federation—star before retiring in the early 1960’s. During wrestling’s first golden era, the Clifton Cutie held the famous Jim Londas to a draw and had the edge on “Jumping Joe” Savoldi. He was in exciting matches with the likes of Man Mountain Dean, The Swedish Angel, Primo Carnera, Bronco Nagurski and Antonio Rocca. California named him the World Heavyweight Champ, while Martinelli added North American and New York State titles as well as one–half of the World’s Tag Team Champion to his list of honors. The Clifton Cutie came home and opened Martinelli’s Place around 1962. The pub was located at Main and Madison Aves., where San Remo is located today. Nick was married to Philomina Scarfo and together, they had three children— Nicholas, Gary and Debbie. Nicholas and Gary both played CHS football while Debbie cheered on the Mustangs. Although their father never influenced the boys into choosing wrestling as a career path, Gary wrestled briefly while attending a junior college in Maryland.
On Aug. 4, 1978, Nicholas Russo Sr. died and was inducted into the Italian–American Sports Hall Of Fame in 1991. Nicholas Jr. owns the Russo Agency Insurance, which recently relocated to Allwood Rd. Gary, lives in town and is semi-retired and sister Debbie lives in Oradell. Their mom, Nick’s wife Philomina, is now 90 and still lives in Clifton.
Nick Russo, aka the Clifton Cutie, with his boys, Gary at left and Nick Jr, who is putting a headlock on his dad. 1074
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August 2006 • Clifton Merchant