John J. Kusek

"Palmer-John J. Kusek, 67, of Fern Hill Rd., passed away January 2, 2009 at home. Born in Springfield on December 15, 1941, John has lived in the Palmer area for all of his life. He was a well known local athlete and best known for his pitching which took him to the Boston Red Sox Farm System. John worked for over 25 years at Friendly's Corp and retired from Wrights in Warren. He was an avid Boston Red Sox and New York Giants fan and enjoyed having a good time. John was predeceased by his wife Cynthia (Lamery) in 1998 and will be missed by his children Debra Kusek-Boser and her husband Gregory of Three Rivers, Denise Levasseur and her husband Gregory of Palmer, Dean Kusek with whom he lived in Monson, Derek Kusek and his wife Donna also of Monson. John also leaves six grandchildren Brittany and Laurel Boser, Sydney and Kendall Levasseur, and Brandon and Autumn Kusek. He is also survived by many aunts and uncles along with aunt Irene Smith who helped take care of him. Visitation will be held Monday January 5th from 5:00-6:30 p.m. at the Beers & Story Palmer Funeral Home with a service of remembrance starting at 6:30 p.m. at the funeral home. Burial will be privately held. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to either the Baystate VNA and Hospice, 50 Maple St., Springfield, MA or the American Cancer Society, Quaboag Valley Relay for Life, 6-26-09 at BHS, 59 Bobala Rd., Holyoke, MA 01040. "