Joseph Jusko

Mr. Joseph Jusko, age 90, formerly of the Little Valley Road, Salamanca, New York died Wednesday morning, June 25, 2008 at the Elderwood Health Care, Williamsville, New York following a short illness.

Born on April 6, 1918 in Salamanca, New York he was the son of the late Andrew and Rosalia Duma Jusko. He was married at Holy Cross Church on August 30, 1941 to the former Pauline Pauline Wrona who predeceased him on August 21, 2003.

Mr. Jusko served as a combat engineer during WWII as a member of the 90th Infantry Division, 315th Engineer Battalion, of the US Army. He participated in the Normandy Invasion and served primarily the Third Army in Europe under General Patton. He was awarded the Bronze Star with two Oak Leaf Clusters, the Purple Heart, and several other accommodations.

He was employed at the CC Camp in Allegany State Park in Red House as a teenager and was brakeman/conductor for the Erie-Lackawanna Railroad for 33 years retiring in 1977.

Mr. Jusko was a member of Holy Cross Church, Holy Cross Athletic Club where he served as a Director and President for several years. He enjoyed bowling and playing pinochle.

Surviving are: 2 sons, William (Margaret) Jusko, Clarence, New York, Paul (Sharon) Jusko, Boston, New York; 7 grandchildren, Suzanne Purnell, Westerly, R.I., Marjorie Jusko, Lancaster, New York, Katherine (Paul) Majewski, Germantown, MD, Natalie Jusko, Clarence, New York, Nicole Jusko, Clarence, New York, Tracy Kwiatkowski, Kernersville, N.C., Kristian Jusko, Buffalo, New York; 7 great grandchildren; a sister, Loretta (Edward) Bysiek, Olean, New York; a brother, Frank (Joan) Jusko, Frewsburg, New York; many nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by 4 sisters, Anna Jusko, Stella Valeski, Rose Genevieve Sluga, Helen Suminski, 3 brothers, Stanislous Jusko, Andrew Jusko, and William E. Jusko.

A private funeral service will be held at the convenience of the family.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the O'Rourke & O'Rourke Inc. Funeral Home, 25 River Street, Salamanca, New York.

The family suggests memorials to Roswell Park Cancer Institute in Buffalo, New York.