Jerry D. Fusco

Jerry Dominick Fusco, 88, of rural Berryton, passed away Monday, March 5, 2007, at Midland Hospice House. He was born October 17, 1918 in Utica, NY, the son of John and Rose Fusco. He grew up in Utica and at age 21, moved to Santa Monica, CA where he worked for Douglas Aircraft Company. There he met Juanita Fail, from Chanute, Kansas, and they were married in 1942, and have been married nearly 65 years.

Jerry served in the U.S. Navy during WWII and was engaged in radar technology. In 1947, he moved to Kansas, taking a job with the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway. During his 32 years with Santa Fe, he repaired communications equipment from Chicago to Tulsa to Albuquerque; worked as a Technician in the Radio Shop and later became a foreman in the Telegraph Repair Shop in Topeka. He retired from Santa Fe in 1978, and continued farming until 2000.

He is remembered as a man with a sharp wit and sense of humor, even during the years of declining health. He enjoyed going fishing with friends and family, gardening and farming.

Jerry is survived by his wife Juanita; son Robert Fusco and wife Sharon; four grandchildren John Tyburski, and his wife Miwa; Anna Tyburski, Brian Fusco and Linnzi Fusco and one great granddaughter, Nicola Tyburski. He is also survived by his brother John Fusco and wife Angie of Poland, NY; his sister Philomena Broccoli of Utica, NY, as well as several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Verna Tyburski.

Jerry will lie in state after 11:00 a.m., Thursday at Penwell-Gabel Southeast Chapel, 2843 SE Minnesota Ave., where the family will receive friends from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. Funeral services will be at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, March 9, 2007 at the Penwell-Gabel Southeast Chapel. Interment will follow at Clinton Cemetery in Douglas County.

Memorial contributions may be made to Midland Hospice, 200 SW Frazier Circle, Topeka, KS 66606 or the Alzheimer's Association, 515 S. Kansas Avenue, Topeka, KS 66603.