Thomas B. Kusick, 67, died on November 12, 2022, surrounded by family at his Karns City home.
He was born December 27, 1954, in Butler to Joseph T. Kusick and Jean Claudette Lumley.
On May 7, 1977, Tom married his wife, Lee Ann McElroy. He was a devoted husband and father, who loved his family and all things sports, including hunting and fishing. He enjoyed watching his boys and extended family play sports through the years. Tom loved hunting and going on fishing trips to Rufus Lake (Canada) and the Allegheny National Forest, along with snow skiing trips to New York, Colorado and British Columbia. He also greatly enjoyed gardening, cutting firewood, and manicuring his lawn. But above all else, Tom enjoyed spending time with his family and friends.
He volunteered in many ways in the community, including coaching numerous youth sports teams and performing activities within the church, such as doing dishes, cement work and parish council. Tom was a Methodist and then a Catholic.
Tom will be remembered for his storytelling, helpfulness, and his ability to connect with people. And his sons are forever grateful for the example he set as a father.
Tom was a 1972 graduate of Karns City High School and earned an associate’s degree from Williamsport Technical School. Upon graduation, he worked for General Electric in Erie, PA, Witco and then as Fairview Township supervisor. Tom worked at Indspec Chemical Corporation (Oxy, formerly Koppers) as a maintenance foreman for over twenty-five years.
Tom is survived by his wife, Lee Ann; his two sons, Rob (Andrea) Kusick of Sewickley and Jim (Heather) Kusick of Cranberry Twp.; his grandchildren, Sydney, Cameron, Clara and Henry Kusick; his siblings: brother, Bill (Elaine) Kusick of Chicora, and half sister, but full in his heart, Michelle (Tim) McFadden of Hilliards; his stepfather, Bob Lumley of Petrolia; as well as a niece, Karissa (Rian) Kusick Dominick of Avon, OH; and nephews, Joe (Lili) Kusick of Butler, Tyler McFadden of Hilliards, and Mark Hemphill of Grove City; his sisters-in-laws, Sharon (Joe) McElravy of Karns City and Nancy (Roger) Whited of Bruin; brother-in-law, David (Terri) McElroy of Karns City; and nieces/nephews, Kelley (Bob) Downs, Erin (Jeff) Miller, and Mark McElravy; Adam and Brody Whited; and Ian and Ethan McElroy.
In addition to his parents, Tom was preceded in death by his brother, James D. Kusick; half brother, Joseph G. Kusick; half sister, Margaret Hemphill; and mother-in-law and father-in-law, Helen T. McElroy and Clarence Lee McElroy.
Friends of Thomas Burton “Tom” Kusick, who died November 12, 2022, will be received from 1 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, November 15, and 12 to 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, November 16, at HILE FUNERAL HOME OF CHICORA, 339 Chicora-Fenelton Road, Chicora. A funeral Mass for Tom Kusick will be celebrated at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, November 16, at Mater Dolorosa Roman Catholic Church in Chicora. Private interment will be at Hemphill Cemetery, also in Chicora, at a later date.
Please, no flowers. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you “pay it forward” and do something kind for someone who needs help or encouragement. “Big Tom” would plow driveways in a snowstorm, coach a basketball team, and generally do that good deed.
The family suggests that any monetary donations be made to Karns City Youth Basketball, P.O. Box 332, Karns City, PA 16041.
For additional information or to send a condolence, please visit www.hilefh.com