Andrew J. McCusker

WINCHENDON - Andrew J. McCusker III of Broadview Assisted Living in Winchendon,MA, and of Lake Monomonac, in Rindge, NH, passed peacefully on Tuesday, November 3,2015. Andy was born in New Britain, CT to Anna C. (Albrecht) and Andrew J. McCusker II on November 9, 1924. Andy attended Newington public schools. He was an auto mechanic and also worked at Colt Firearms in CT. He enlisted in the U.S. Army at age 18. He served in Patton's 3rd Army from Normandy to Czechoslovakia, laying communication lines for his Howitzer artillery unit in the pursuit of Axis army. On February 15, 1947, he married Marion "Skippy" Cook and they had eight children--4 daughters and 4 sons. Much of their child-rearing occurred at Crystal Lake in Ellington, CT, and in Unionville, CT. Later they lived in Ft. Myers, FL, Southwick, MA, and Rindge, NH. Andy was a draftsman, but first was a well-respected machinist, at Fenn Manufacturing in Newington, CT, for over 25 years. He was an avid golfer with many rounds in central CT, the FL gulf coast, and the Rindge NH-Winchendon MA areas, especially. He has even scored two holes in one. He was a lifetime member of the Knights of Columbus and a dedicated blood donor. In retirement, Andy and Skippy traveled to many of the United States, including Alaska and Hawaii. They also went to Europe, the Holy Land, Australia, and Ireland. In his final residence, he was treated lovingly by his caregivers, and referred to as “The Mayor of Broadview,” for the twinkle in his eye, and his wonderful, socially interactive ways. Andy was pre-deceased by his wife of 63 years, by his four younger brothers, Richard, Gerald, Raymond, and Robert, and by his grandson, Andrew J. McCusker V. Survivors include his 8 children: Andrew (Diane) of Scarborough, ME, Michael (Polly Anderson) of Buckland, MA, Pamela (Dominic) Mori of Ft. Myers, FL, Robert of Simsbury, CT, Eileen (Michael) Rauch of Shelburne Falls, MA, Kevin of Rindge, NH, Cynthia Kluetz of Frederick, MD, and Carole (Charles) Langlais of Unionville, CT. He also leaves 23 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren to remember good times with their caring grandpa, including pontoon boat rides and many family times near the Farmington River, Fort Myers beaches and Lake Monomonac. Services will include calling hours at Ahern Funeral Home, 111 Main Street, Unionville,CT, at 8:30am Saturday November 7, followed by a Celebration of Life Mass at St. Mary's, Unionville at10:30am. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Andy’s memory to one of his favorite charities, Autism Speaks, 1060 State Road, 2ndFloor, Princeton, NJ 08540 or online at Autismspeaks.org To view the online guestbook, please visit www.mackfamilyfh.com Mack Funeral Home, 91 Vernon St., Gardner is assisting with arrangements.