Obituary of Kenneth A. Cusmano

Kenneth Arthur Cusmano, 62, beloved son, brother, uncle, cousin, and friend, died on April 30, 2020 at Newton Medical Center in Sussex County, NJ. He was born September 29, 1958 at Muhlenberg Hospital in Plainfield. Ken was baptized at St. Bartholomew the Apostle Catholic Church in Scotch Plains and later attended elementary school there. In 1966, the Cusmano family moved to Warren Township in Somerset County, NJ. Ken was a member of Our Lady of the Mount Parish Catholic Church in Warren and a 1977 graduate of Watchung Hills Regional High School. There he played on the varsity football and baseball teams. Ken had many hobbies. An avid outdoorsman in his youth, Ken was a respected fisherman and participated in many opening day trout seasons. He received the "Fisherman Skillful Angling Award" in April 1983. A sports enthusiast, he followed his favorite professional teams on TV with family and friends. He enjoyed good movies, Italian food, rock music, rock n roll music, and card games. Ken was an active member and advocate of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). He attended regular meetings and participated as a speaker, sponsor, and mentor. During his tenure, Ken was commended for achieving 25 years of sobriety. A close friend and AA colleague said of Ken, "he was a fighter who never gave up." Ken is predeceased by his father, John Salvatore Cusmano and mother Rose Marie Cusmano, brother John, all of his grandparents, uncles, aunts, and niece, Elizabeth Cusmano. He is survived by brother Thomas Cusmano (wife Linda), their children, Melanie, Patrick, Carolyn, Faustina, and Lucia of Honey Brook, PA; sister Adele (husband Andy), Washington, NJ; cousins David Lipiro (wife Susan), Sagamore Hills, OH; cousin Sandra Ward, Middleburg Heights, OH; cousins Henry (wife Lynn), Venice, FL; cousins Florence (husband Tommy) Patullo, Somerset, NJ; and cousin Jeffrey Kicia, Centennial, CO. The family is grateful for his many friends who helped him along life's path. Higgins Home for Funerals Inc., Watchung, NJ will hold a private service. In lieu of flowers please donate to: Our Lady of the Mount Parish, 167 Mount Bethel Road, Warren, NJ 07059.