Carmelo Cusma
August 25, 1932 - April 16, 2017
        

Carmelo Cusma entered eternal life at age 84 on Easter Sunday, April 16th, 2017. Surrounded by his family at his home, he found peace after a long struggle with a progressive neurological disease.

Born in Piraino, Sicily (Italy), Carmelo arrived in Milwaukee with his young family in 1960.  He was a tireless worker and a selfless husband and father.   He took great pleasure in helping others, loved to share stories and had a ready smile.  He faced his life and illness with courage, perseverance and dignity.

He leaves behind Antonina (nee Saggio), his beloved wife and partner of 62 years. Cherished father of Jack (Dee Dee Zwettler) Cusma, Josie (Doug Bower) Cusma, and David Cusma. Loving Nonno of Gina (Ray Pfeiffer) Bower, Elissa (Ben Wiese) Cusma, and Lisa Bower. Great-Nonno of Nina and Gabriel. Survived by brothers in Sicily: Cono (Antonietta) Cusma, Rocco (Michaela) Cusma, and Vincenzo (Nunziata) Cusma. Also survived by in-laws,  Carmelo (Maria) Saggio, Maria (the late Ignazio) La Monica, and Natale (Maria) Saggio. Further survived by nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends in the United States, Canada and Italy. Preceded in death by his parents Gioacchino and Giuseppa Cusma, brother Michelangelo (the late Maria) Cusma, parents-in-law David and Giuseppa Saggio, and sister-in-law Angela (the late Cono) Caputo.

The family wishes to express gratitude for the special caregivers at Carmelo's side for the past 10 months and to Vitas Hospice Care, for their skilled and compassionate care.

Visitation:  At the Funeral Home 4-7 pm on Friday April 21, 2017 with prayer service at 7 pm.  Visitation continues on Saturday, April 22, 2017 at 10 am at Christ King Catholic Church, 2604 N Swan Blvd, Wauwatosa, WI, 53226,   until the time of Mass of Christian Burial at 11 am.  Procession to Holy Cross Cemetery, Milwaukee, for Committal Service will follow. 

The family requests that Memorial gifts be directed to support research efforts in Corticobasal Degeneration and other Motor Neuron diseases at the Mayo Clinic.  Please make checks payable to “Mayo Clinic”, indicate your intent for “Carmelo Cusma Memorial” in the memo field of the check or short note, and mail to Department of Development, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester MN, 55905.  Online gifts may be made at www.mayoclinic.org/giving-to-mayo-clinic. There is an option at the end of the “Give Now” donation page to insert the name of Carmelo Cusma.

www.mayoclinic.org/giving-to-mayo-clinic