Ray was born in Deep River on November 10, 1930 to polish immigrants, Paul and Sophie (Kruszewski) Kusmierski. Ray grew up on the family farm on West Bridge Street in Deep River and graduated with the class of ‘48 at Deep River high. His teachers were baffled by Ray’s ability to answer questions using few words; accordingly, his yearbook quote was “Thought alone is eternal”. His feet, however, communicated elaborately, dancing his way into the heart of his loving Theresa (Broderick) who was his steadfast partner not only on the dance floor but in 69 years of marriage.
As a newlywed, Ray was drafted into the Marines during the Korean War and served primarily in the Mediterranean aboard ships. On leave he was known for his marathon drives back and forth from the Carolina base to see his sweetheart Theresa with whom he had four children. Ray was sadly predeceased by Theresa in 2020 and also by his four siblings Charles Kusmierski, Gladys Zaremba, Julia Huhla, and Frances Lane.
Ray’s first privately owned grocery store in 1960’s was a small store called Ray’s Food Mart in Moodus CT. On October 29, 1969 he opened the Essex Food Mart on Main St, Essex which was the former First National site. He enjoyed the retail food industry, the small town Essex community and the numerous people he was able to meet and easily become friends with.
Ray sadly leaves behind his son Raymond Kusmierski, Jr. and daughter-in law Linda of Essex, his son Kenneth Kusmierski and daughter-in-law Beth of Chester, his daughter Joanne Schneider and son-in-law Bill of Middletown and his daughter Patricia Kusmierski of Essex.
Ray will be always remembered in the hearts of his children as well as his grandchildren, Ken Kusmierski, Jr. of Chester CT, Elizabeth Kusmierski and her fiancé Noah of Summerville SC, Susan Adamy and her husband Bill of Pittsburgh PA, Greg Schneider and his wife Amanda of East Hampton, David Schneider of Middletown, Mary Kusmierski of Chester and Catie Kusmierski of Chester. He also leaves numerous loving nieces and nephews and their children.
Ray’s kind spirit was felt by family, friends and acquaintances. We will always remember his strength and keep this within us always.
In lieu of flowers a donation in his honor would be well suited to a charity of your own devotion.
Visitation will be held on Friday, June 28th from 4 to 6 pm. at the Robinson, Wright & Weymer Funeral Home, 34 Main Street in Centerbrook. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, June 29th at 10:00 am at Our Lady of Sorrows, 14 Prospect Street in Essex. Burial will follow with the rending of Military Honors at Saint Joseph’s Cemetery in Chester.
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