Roger Richard Kusmier

Roger was born on June 30, 1934, in Kearny, New Jersey, the son of immigrants from Austria-Hungary (now Poland), Jennie [Gregorkevich] Kusmier and Stanley Kusmier. He was the youngest of three siblings, including his older brother Jack Kusmier and his sister Irene [Kusmier] Angelacci.

Roger graduated from High School in 1953. He joined the Army that same year during the Korean war. He served until honorably discharged in 1955. Roger always credited the Army with providing him with both personal discipline and a career in the burgeoning computer and data industry.

Roger married Marianne [Wasielewski] Kusmier on April 30, 1966, in her hometown of Staten Island NY in a Catholic service with Clergy officiating. They settled in New Milford, New Jersey and were married for over 58 years. They had two children, Adrienne [Kusmier] Prager, and David Kusmier. Roger’s towering strength was as a loving and devoted grandfather to his four grandchildren: Evan Kusmier, Zarek Kusmier, Ben Prager, and Aaron Prager. He maintained a special fondness for his brother-in-law, Frank Angelacci, his niece Linda [Angelacci] Lee, his son-in-law, Richard Prager, and his daughter-in-law, Cara Hinchberger.

Roger worked as a mid-level manager at Xerox and later at EDS. Xerox saw potential in Roger and allowed him to pursue his bachelor’s degree in business management at night school at Fairleigh Dickenson University in Teaneck, New Jersey. He retired in the early 1990’s from the data industry in Orange County, California. Not ready to fully retire, he worked part-time for a real estate management company for several more years before embracing his grandfather role in earnest.

Roger prided himself on his athletic ability. In high school he played basketball. In the army he used to box. His love for sports permeated throughout his family. His son and grandsons played tennis, soccer, baseball, basketball, football, track, and rugby. Roger supported his children and grandchildren in sports, and faithfully attended every game or match.

Roger also loved music and was well known for his gift of singing. His favorite singers included Frank Sinatra, Johnny Mathis, Mario Lanza, and Michael Bublé. Holiday gatherings nearly always included a cappella ballads sung by Roger, and he also sang at his daughter’s wedding. In his early eighty’s Roger auditioned for the TV series America’s Got Talent and received a call-back for his hilariously off-color parody ballad. Roger was also an avid sports fan and particularly loved the New York Yankees, New York Giants, and New York Knicks. His other great passion was for movies and movie musicals, and he was known to watch the classics and those from his youth repeatedly over the years. His favorite Broadway musical was Andrew Lloyd Webber’s the Phantom of the Opera.

A funeral mass for Roger will be held Friday, December 13, 2024, from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM at Goodbody Mortuary, 5027 El Cajon Blvd, San Diego, CA 92115. A visitation will occur Friday, December 13, 2024, from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM, 5027 El Cajon Blvd, San Diego, CA 92115. A committal service will occur Friday, December 13, 2024, from 1:15 PM to 2:15 PM at Miramar National Cemetery, 5795 Nobel Dr, San Diego, CA 92122.

Instead of sending flowers, please consider making a memorial donation in the name of Roger Kusmier to the San Diego Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association. Click here to donate online or donate by phone: 1.800.272.3900. Mailed donations may be sent to Alzheimer’s Association San Diego/Imperial Chapter, 5075 Shoreham Place, Suite 240, San Diego, CA 92122.