Paul Cusmano Jr. Obituary (1932 - 2023)

Paul Charles Cusmano, Jr. passed away on Saturday, April 1, 2023 at the age of 91. Paul was born and raised in Elizabeth, NJ and graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School in 1949. He served in the United States Air Force from 1951 to 1955 and advanced to Technical Sergeant. After his service, he was a chemist at International Flavors & Fragrances and was a part-time dance instructor. He shared that he once had the pleasure of dancing with Judy Garland. He moved to Ocala, Florida in 1974 and later to Spring Hill and then Weeki Wachee. He was a Florida resident for 48 years. He worked for many years as a superintendent for Sugarmill Woods and later Sweetwater Homes until he retired at the age of 75. He is remembered by his co-workers as bringing lots of smiles and laughter to their workplace. While Paul built houses for a living, his most important job was being a Dad. He was an exemplary father to his four children — Gina, Vinnie, Terri and Paulie. When raising his children in West Hernando County, he was often found at at a ball field where he was a mentor to his kids, a Little League baseball coach and umpire, and a high school football referee. Over the years, he taught his children everything from how to catch a ground ball to how to drive a stick shift. His children turned to him for advice throughout their whole lives as they faced big events, decisions or challenges. While serious when he needed to be, he was also a prankster who would serve one piece of pasta the first time a date was brought to dinner. He always had a funny story that seemed too crazy to be true but actually was. He was known to use expressions from other languages, aptly earning him the nickname “Wataschi.” His parenting style is evident in his own children who are all parents themselves, and his expressions will be part of the family vocabulary for generations. Nostrovia, Pops! Through the years, he enjoyed cheering for (and embarrassing) his grandchildren at all their activities from cheerleading to soccer games. “Pop-Pop" would shout "Hey Julio" to them on the field, say "Go get 'em, Tiger" and win or lose he'd skip with them in the parking lot afterwards. He would give his young grandchildren a “Badutsi” on the cheek or ask them for a high five by saying “Give to me eine fünf." He was an avid NY Giants and NY Yankees fan. He enjoyed attending Yankees Spring Training games and had a dedicated Yankees room in his condo. He liked spending time at the community pool at The Heather with his condo friends. He was a great cook and enjoyed making meatballs and gravy (red sauce), antipasti, and escarole soup for family holidays. Each year, he spent extended time with family in New Jersey and Texas, and during those visits, he met friends, and neighbors who knew him as Mr. C. He spent his last 14 months in Frisco, TX, but remained busy with three trips to New Jersey and vacations in Hilton Head and Disney World. He is survived by a daughter, Gina Kindt (Mike) of New Port Richey, FL; a son Vinnie Cusmano (Jean) of Frisco, TX; a daughter, Terri Protsko (Ken) of Clark, NJ; a son, Paul Cusmano (Katrina) of Morganton, GA; ten grandchildren (and their spouses); four great-granchildren and several grand-dogs. He was also extremely close with his older brother Joe Cusmano and his sister-in-law Mary of Elizabeth, NJ. The family will gather in Florida for a celebration of his life later this year. Memorial donations may be made to Faith Presbyterian Hospice, 312477 Merit Dr, Dallas, TX 75251 or www.faithpreshospice.org.