Charles Cusumano

Charles Anthony Cusumano, 84, of Stevensville, died June 21 at his home after a long illness.

Mr. Cusumano was born Feb. 1, 1920, in Elizabeth, N.J., the son of Sicilian immigrants. He graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School in Elizabeth in 1936 and enlisted in the Army in July 1938. He joined the 1st Combat Engineers, 1st Infantry Division at Fort DuPont, Del. In July 1939 he transferred to the Army Air Corps at Langley Field, Va., and was assigned to the 36th Fighter Squadron, 8th Fighter Group.

During World War II as a technical sergeant, he was based at Port Morseby and Milne Bay, New Guinea. He and his team kept fighter planes in the air and combat-ready under combat conditions. He was wounded during a surprise night bombing, and later received the Bronze Star medal.

In July 2001, he was recognized by the New Jersey legislature, receiving the Distinguished Service Medal, the state's highest military award, in recognition of his World War II service.

After the war he worked in New Jersey for the U.S. Postal Service, becoming a senior supervisor before retiring in 1970 from a disability caused by his war wounds.

Following retirement, he lived in several locations in the United States before settling near family in Stevensville.

Mr. Cusumano was an active veterans' advocate and member of several organizations including the Disabled American Veterans and the Veterans of Foreign Wars. He was of the Roman Catholic faith and was a member of the Knights of Columbus.

He married Carmela Madeline Catalano, the daughter of Sicilian immigrants, on July 6, 1941. He was proud of their 10 children, who all graduated from college.

In addition to his wife, survivors include his children, James Anthony Cusumano of Prague, the Czech Republic; Maria Theresa Hennessy of Belmar, N.J.; Charles Anthony Cusumano II of Hermosa Beach, Calif.; Salvatore Joseph Cusumano of Albuquerque, N.M.; Camille Cusumano of San Francisco, Calif.; Grace Becker of Union City, N.J.; Thomas Edward Cusumano of Danville, Calif.; Lisa Dubiansky of Annapolis; Tina Garin of Bethlehem, Pa.; and Donna Cusumano of Pristina, Kosovo.

Also surviving are two sisters, Mary Nufio and Agnes Imbriaco of Linden, N.J.; 23 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. tomorrow at Barranco and Sons Severna Park Funeral Home, 495 Ritchie Highway. A Mass of Christian burial will be offered at 10 a.m. Friday at St. Andrew by the Bay Catholic Church, 701 College Parkway, near Cape St. Claire. Burial will be in Maryland Veterans Cemetery in Crownsville.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Queen Anne's Inc., 300 Del Rhodes Ave., Queenstown, MD 21658.

As published in The Capital Newspaper, Annapolis Md. 06/23/2004