LYNN — Mr. Eugene Christopher “Gene” Cusack, age 76, of Lynn, died peacefully at his home on Sunday, Oct. 30, 2016. He was the husband of Kathleen L. “Kathy” (Frayne) Cusack, with whom he shared 49 years of marriage.
Born in County Meath, Ireland, Gene was the son of the late Thomas and Elizabeth Cusack. Orphaned at the age of 7, Gene was raised by his Aunt Helen and Uncle Michael Finnegan. Gene attended schools in Ireland and at the age of 17 emigrated from Ireland to the United States and settled in Lynn with his Uncle Eugene and his family.
From 1959-1963 Gene served in the U.S. Navy and from 1963-1970 he continued his service with the U.S. Navy Reserve, being called to active duty and being stationed at sea just off the coast of Cuba during the Cuban Missile Crisis. He was also stationed in Norfolk and was part of the team that served during the decommissioning of the USS Massachusetts that helped to get her seaworthy for the trip back to Fall River.
Gene worked as a chemical compounder for American Finish and Chemical in Chelsea for over 40 years until his retirement in 2004. After his retirement he had worked for North Reading Transportation driving students. He loved interacting with the students and became a favorite driver to many of them.
Gene was a devout Catholic who was an active member of St. Mary’s Parish, Lynn. He served the parish as an usher at the 9 a.m. Mass, as a worker for the parish’s bingo program, volunteered with the food pantry and as a member and past president of the St. Vincent DePaul Society, and served on the parish’s finance committee. He was the recipient of the Christian Service Award in 2001. Gene was a third and fourth degree member of the Knights of Columbus. He joined the Swampscott Council of the Knights of Columbus in 1959 and would later transfer to Valladolid Council #70, Lynn, where he became one of the council’s most active members. He served the council in any and all roles needed, but most especially as a weekly bingo worker and as a membership director. He was honored by the council as their Irishman of the Year in 1992 and as the Knight of the Year in 2001. He and his family were also recognized as the Family of the Year in 1995 for their service to the Knights and the community. He was a former member of the St. Pius V Men’s Choir, a former Cub Scout Leader and Scout Master at St. Pius V Troop 22, a coach for Pine Hill Little League and a volunteer for the Toys for Tots Program.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by two sons, Tom Cusack and his wife Lyn of North Carolina and Michael Cusack of Florida; five grandchildren, Krystal, Savannah, currently serving with the U.S. Navy, Marisa, Ben and Brady; two brothers, Jim Cusack of Luton, England, and John Cusack of Antioch, Ill., a cousin, Warren Cusack of Lynn, and many nieces, nephews and cousins in Ireland and Australia. He was also the brother of the late Patrick, Michael, Donald and Thomas Cusack.
Service information: His funeral will be held on Friday at 9:30 a.m. from the SOLIMINE Funeral Home, 426 Broadway (Route 129), Lynn, followed by a funeral Mass at 10:30 a.m. in St. Mary’s Church. Following cremation, burial will be on Saturday at 11 a.m. in St. Joseph Cemetery, Lynn. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited. Visiting hours Thursday 4-8 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Vincent DePaul Society St. Mary’s Parish, 8 South Common St., Lynn, MA 01902. Directions and guestbook at Solimine.com.