Joseph "Elwood" Cusic
December 31, 1917 ~ January 28, 2012
Services:
A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Thursday, February 2, 2012 at 10:00 AM in St. Joseph's Catholic Church Morganza, MD with Fr. Keith Woods officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery.
Visitation:
The family will receive friends on Wednesday, February 1, 2012 from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM in the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home chapel with Deacon Joe Lloyd reciting prayers at 7:00 PM.
Joseph "Elwood" Cusic, Sr. 94 of Mechanicsville, MD passed away on January 28, 2012 at The Village of Taylor Farms in Bushwood, MD
He was preceded in death by his wife, Elvie Ann Wood Cusic; son, Joseph Elwood "Teenie" Cusic, Jr., sisters, Catherine Raley, Theresa Raley and Yvonne Wood; brother James Cusic and son-in-law, Cecil Kidd. He is survived by his children; Robert Louis Cusic, Sr. (Betty Jean) of Mechanicsville, MD, William "Billy" Wendell Cusic (Joyce Ann) of Chaptico, MD, Sharon Ann Kidd of Big Island, VA and daughter-in-law Arlene Cusic of La Plata, MD, 11 grandchildren (3 deceased) and 12 great grandchildren; siblings, Edward "Junior" Cusic and Harry Cusic.
Elwood was a lifelong resident of St. Mary's County. He was born to John Quincy and Nora Catherine Bussler Cusic on December 31, 1917 in a one story log dwelling with a dirt floor on Morganza-Turner Road in Mechanicsville, MD. At the age of 9 the family moved to Dorsey Farm. In 1926 the family moved again to the "home place" that still stands on Route 6 across from Delabrooke Road.
On December 18, 1937 Elwood married Elvie Ann Wood and they made their first home on Cremona Farm. Later, moving a short distance down the road to Scrabbletown. Finally settling in their new home in 1959 where he remained until November, 2009.
Elwood raised his first crop of tobacco at the age of 15. He went to work for Louise Parlett as farm manager of Patuxent View Farm in Mechanicsville, MD. He continued to raise tobacco and Hereford cattle for the farm even after it was sold in 1990. Elwood retired in 1994 but he fenced in his yard and continued to raise cattle at his home until 2006. "I have something to get up for in the morning" he said, which is better than what he called the "boob tube".
Before raising Herefords, he raised Angus cattle, producing two championship animals at an international livestock show in Chicago in 1941 and 1942. In 1942 Elwood and his partners showed livestock at shows in 37 different states. Often traveling by box car to shows, he said "Nobody would believe that when Pearl Harbor happened, I didn't know for three days because I was on the rails with the cattle."
Elwood was one of the founding members of the St. Mary's County Fair Association in 1947. He served as Vice President from 1973 to 2002. "There were very few buildings at the fairgrounds then, and only half as many exhibitors", he said about the 1947 fair. Elwood saw the fair grow over the years; helping build many of the original buildings. He also oversaw the 4H livestock auction. "The sale was the highlight of my life" he once said.
He started the first 4-H Club in Mechanicsville and was inducted as a 4-H All Star and Friend of 4H. He served as board member for Southern States and was a member of the St. Mary's County Farm Bureau for 25 years. He also served on the Property Review Board for 14 years and was a member of the Antique Tractor Club.
While Elwood's hobbies were attending club dances, playing pitch with his special group of friends and talking on his cell phone, which he called his "walkabout phone" with friends Warren Bussler and June Quann, he will always be remembered for his knowledge and passion for farming, raising cattle and sharing agriculture traditions with the younger generation. "Everybody's working for the youth", he said. "There's no way of knowing how many hours I've put in. I've enjoyed every minute of it."
The family will receive friends on Wednesday, February 1, 2012 from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM in the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home with prayers recited at 7:00 PM. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Thursday, February 2, 2012 at 10:00 AM in St. Joseph's Catholioc Church, Morganza, MD with Father Keith Woods officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery.
Pall bearers will be Kenny Wood, John Hall, Stump Spalding, Matthew Spalding, Cody Spalding and Dave Ramsey. Honorary Pallbearers will be Joe Cusic, Johnny Cusic, Robbie Cusic and Kyle Wood.
Contributions may be made in memory of Joseph "Elwood" Cusic, Sr. to the St. Mary's County Fair Association, St. Mary's County 4H Livestock Program and/or Hospice of St. Mary's P.O. Box 625 Leonardtown, MD 20650.
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“Billy, Bobby, Sharon & the Cusic family: Words cannot express the sadness that we feel on the loss of Uncle Elwood. His passing is one of great sorrow and he will be sorely missed and mourned in the community. We feel blessed to have had him as an Uncle, and will always cherish our times together. We regret that we will be unable to attend any of the services for him, we now live in Jacksonville, Florida, we moved here to be close to our daughter and her family. It will take a long time to get used to the loss of someone we love, Always cherish the wonderful memories of the many things he said and did, as long as you have those memories, the people we love will live on in our hearts and minds. May God be with you as you grieve the loss of Uncle Elwood. Take care and stay close to your love ones. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you. With love, Skip & Doris Jones”
“To the Cusic Families, we are sorry for the loss of tour Dad, grand dad,Loved one, yall will be in our thoughts and prayers “
“Bobby, Betty Jean And Robby: Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time.”
“”To the Cusic Families, we are sorry for the loss of Your Dad …”
“The Cusic Family, extending much sympathy during this time of sorrow and praying that God will comfort you and give you strength for tomorrow.”
“To All of Mr. Cusic’s Family, We are very sorry for your loss and will be keeping him in our prayers and will be praying for all of you during this most difficult time. In Friendship,”
“Janet and Cusic Family…..I’m so sorry to hear that you Grandfather passed away. He gave all he had to stay, but God had other plans for him. Stay strong for each other and will keep you Grandfather in my prayers. “
“To the Cusic family, we are so sorry for your loss. Elwood was a wonderful man and our lives are better with having known him. He truly was a remarkable and caring man who will be missed by all who knew him.”
“Cusic Family; It was my pleasure working with Elwood during the time he stayed at Taylor Farms. He always had bright, cheerful things to say. Elwood was like a grandfather to me. You are in my thoughts & prayers.”
“To the Cusic Family- Elwood will always remain in my heart for the heart warming hugs and smiles he gave me from the very first time we met. I always look forward to him coming to the tractor pulls and doing his paper work for him. He was such a pleasant and warm man. He always saved a dance for me at the banquets. I know your void is large but fill it with all your memories . God bless you all during this hard time. Snooky”
“Sharon, We are so sorry you have lost your Dad. He was always so good to us when we showed at the fair and any other time we needed his help. It is easy to see where you get all your goodness. Love you lots God Bless”
“June, Jr., Harry, and the entire Cusic family my sincere condolances. Elwood was a gift from God, he will be missed by many that knew him.”
“Extending my deepest heartfelt sympathy to all of the Cusic Family. There are many memories to share from the life your Dad lived. May God Bless each and everyone of you today and always. Bobby Long, Sr.”
“To the Cusic Family: You are in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.”
“To the Cusic Families – We are so sorry for your loss. He lived a good life. We are keeping you all in our prayers.”
“Sharon, I was so sorry to hear about Uncle Elwood. I will never forget the times we went down to the farm and saw the cattle. Being little, I was so impressed. My heart goes out to you at this time. Love you, Mary Lou”
“Billy, Bobby, Sharon, and Cusic Family – Our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this sad time.”
“To All of Mr. Cusic’s Family, We are very sorry for your loss and will be keeping him in our prayers and will be praying for all of you during this most difficult time”
“To the Cusic family, we are thinking of you during this difficult time. “
“Billy and Joyce Anne, please know that you’ll are in our prayers and thoughts. “
“Sharon, My prayers and thoughts are with you.I know that this is a very difficult time but I also know that the wonderful memories of your Dad will always be with you and will continue to fill your heart with love and joy.”
“To the family of Elwood Cusic, please accept our most sincere condolences on your loss. Mr. Cusic was a fine man and will be missed by many. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. “
“We are very sorry for the loss to your family. You are all in our thoughts and prayers.”
“Janet, Kenny, Susie, John and Families, We are so sorry for your loss. It’s so hard to loss someone that you love and that has been around forever. My heart goes out to you all but keep remembering those crazy memories and it will make things easier as time goes by. I lost my best friend 10 years ago I still cry and laugh because in someways she is still with me. We were blessed to have them in our lives for so long. His time here was finished God needs him now. Please know that we are praying for you and you are in our thoughs. Hugs and kisses to all.”
“Our family has lost another icon. Uncle Elwood was humble person with a big smile. I got to talk to him some at the fair in September. God sent his angels down to him and said it is time to go home and be with God and your family. You will be missed by so many people. Rest in peace Jo Allen”
“Ms. Sharon, Kim and Cusic Family, We understand the loss you must be feeling at this time. You are all in our thoughts and prayers. May your faith in God carry you through. Our hearts are with you, Marie, Roy and Geoffrey Buckler”
“Billy, Bobby, Sharon and Janet: Our hearts go out to you during this time of lose; but we know the “wonderful” memories will always be with you all!”
“Billy, Bobby and Sharon, so sorry to hear about your loss. We will keep you all in our prayers.”
“Pop, the best grandfather in the entire world. How I loved you so much. You were always so witty, and always made me laugh, even in your times of pain, you always seemed to smile and say something funny. You were always so grateful to everyone, saying “Thank you” no matter what the nurses and doctors were putting you through. You were always so supportive of Kyle and Lindsey’s sports and wanting to hear about their games and even made it to a game or two. Always asking Kyle how his deer hunting was going. I’ll never forget the time when I was younger and you let me drive your pick-up truck up and down the farm road. This was the first time behind the wheel for me and I was so excited. Here are some things I will always remember you by and the people that loved you will recognize. Chocolate Bunny Ears, Khaki pants and shirt, White Cowboy Hat, lifting me up by my elbows, Friday nights in the basement sitting in front of the fireplace watching Dukes of Hazard and Dallas, Carrying cattle on the back of your pick-up truck, Your Grand Champion Big Bulls which we would call “Big Bull”, Fair Times, Tractor pulling, Coconut cake, Big Macs, Fish Fillets, Coca Cola, Patuxent View Farm, Hereford Cattle, the color green, growing hay just for your great grandchildren for their 4-H cattle, Your cell phone that you called your “Walk around phone”, Pitch, Wheel of Fortune, Jeopardy, the Orioles games, and the funniest of all. – When you sit down in dad’s garage with the guys and told them with the straightest face that you didn’t know how to play poker and beat them all. Although I am so sad to lose you, I know how lucky I am to have had you so long. And how lucky my kids were to have their great grandfather for so long, who they called “Farmer Pop.” I will miss you, but these memories I have of you will be with me and my kids forever. Thank you for being the best grandfather anyone could have. Rest in Peace and keep farming and raising cattle in heaven. Janet.”
“Harry and I send our love and prayers for your lost. Mr. Cusic was a true friend of the Boyden family and will be a missed. We always loved his stories and the time we shared with him at the fairs. Your father, grandfather and great grandfather will always be remembered as a true gentlemen and a friend to all. May God comfort you in your time of lost. “
“Janet and the rest of the Cusic family, I am want to express my sympathy for the loss of your grandfather, father, father in-law, brother and friend. I have heard many stories about Mr. Cusic and I felt like I knew him even though I never met him. You are all in my thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. “
“Cusic Family,We were sorry to hear of your loss, our thoughts and prayers are with you all.”
“To The Cusic Family, We send our sincere condolences! The loss of a loved one is never easy, hope your many wonderful memories and being surrounded by family and friends helps to ease your loss. Mr. Cusic was very fortunate to have such a caring family, that took such good care of him! Our thoughs and prayers are with you. Rest in peace Mr. Cusic, the fairs won’t seem the same without you! Tommy and Rose Goldsborough “
“”To the Cusic Families, I am sorry for your loss and will keep him in my thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. He will be at peace with God. “
“Bobby and the Cusic Family, Karen and I have the fondest of memories of our relationship with Elwood. He dearly loved good-looking hereford cattle. When Elwood put his “expert eye” on cattle, he could choose a winner. His integrity and friendship left an impression of us that we will never forget. Elwood was a fine gentleman and dear friend.”
“Dear Cusic Family, We are sorry for the loss of “Pop”. He was a very special special part of our family too. I’ll always remember the days we toured the farm in the white pick-up truck, bailing hay, and of course showing the Herefords! He was such a sweet, kind, country gentleman who made a big difference in the lives he touched. We will miss him. Love, Patty and Steve”
“To the entire Cusic Family, Truly a loss to the entire Cusic family, friends and the community. You all are blessed with wonderful memories. Frank and I are in Florida but you will be remembered in our prayers and thoughts.”
“Dear Tiffany, my condolences to you and your family over your great-grandfather’s passing. I never knew him but the comments here from friends and family, along with his biography, reveal he lived fully — with a zest for life that should be an example to us all. What a wonderful legacy for you. Peace and love. “
“Bobby, Betty Jean and family. We’re so sorry to hear of Mr. Cusic’s passing. Keep him in your fond memories and our prayers are with you.”
“To all the Cusic Family; Our sincere condolences on the passing of your Father and Grandfather. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this most trying of times.”
“Sharon, Just learned of your Dad’s passing. Know that you and yours are in my thoughts and prayers. “
“On behalf of the Charles County Fair I would like to extend my deepest sympathy. As a 4-H’er I remember Mr. Cusic showing his cattle at the Fair. He was a real kind gentleman. God Bless All of the Family.”