Widow who donated this year's Rockefeller Center Christmas tree says husband 'always talked' about this day

Judy and Dan Russ had always thought the giant Norway spruce outside their home in upstate New York would make the perfect Rockefeller Center Christmas tree

Judy and Dan Russ had always thought the giant Norway spruce outside their home in upstate New York would make the perfect Rockefeller Center Christmas tree.

The dream has become reality, but with a bittersweet twist. Dan died at 32 years old in 2020, so the tree from the Russ’s home in East Greenbush will now serve as a memory of him when it shines bright for millions of visitors during the holiday season.

“As my husband has passed away, I know he would have loved to have been here for this moment,” Judy Russ told NBC correspondent Joe Fryer on TODAY. “We always talked about it being the (Rockefeller Center) tree. It’s so special that my family’s tree gets to be America’s, if not the world’s, Christmas tree.”

The 75-foot-tall Norway spruce that has served as a jungle gym for their son, Liam, 7, was cut down on Nov. 6 and is on its way to Rockefeller Center, where it will arrive live on Saturday TODAY on Nov. 8.

“I’m excited that the whole world can see it,” a proud Liam told Fryer.