CARL J O’KUSKY
July 27th 1929 - December 21st 2021
December 21st is a day known to all of us as the Winter Solstice. It marks the first day of winter on your calendar and is the shortest day of the year. On December 21st 2021, during our darkest hours, the worlds most transcendent and brightest soul was taken from us.
Carl O’Kusky comfortably penned the final chapter of his enigmatic tale with his beloved Wife, Daughter, and Son by his side. He was a quiet and content Husband. He was a strong and stoic Father, Grandfather and Great Grandfather. He was a brave Soldier. He was a Hero. Carl O’Kusky was and is a Hero to all of us.
He was a man of few words, but when he spoke each syllable rang louder than a sentence. He didn’t need to speak much. His beautiful and exuberant wife Joyce did enough talking for the both of them. Her wistful charm and exuberance of love combined with Carl’s handsomely rugged grit made for a pair that belonged in the Hollywood headlines. However this prolific duo resided in the quaint small town of Witherbee, NY, on the top of a hill, on a farm far from Hollywood, but their love was truer than any story you could ever write.
Carl and Joyce exchanged sanctimonious vows on Easter Sunday in 1953. Marking the beginning of the family that carries on his legacy today. His son, Carl Jr., exudes his toughness. His daughter, Laura, exudes his compassion. Together they carry on the families strength and bond. Together they make Carl proud.
The Farm was Carl’s paradise. His heart pumped in harmony as the chickens clucked, the cows mooed, and the horses neighed. He lived and breathed it. It was the life for him. Everything he needed was right at his fingertips. It was in his blood, sweat, and MAYBE one or two stubborn tears. The Farm was his salvation.
Before life on the Farm, Carl proudly served our country during the Korean War from 1950-1952. He returned home with a vault of untold stories, shrapnel in his right arm, and various medals for his act of valor including a purple heart. When he returned home from the service he went to work for Taite’s Garage, where he continued to work for several years. He later went to work for the Town of Moriah doing various jobs including two terms as Superintendent of Highways. When the second term ended he went to work for the Public Water Works Department. He then retired at the age of 55 and continued his life on the farm. Retirement also offered him time of leisure that he would spend at the family camp on Lincoln Pond, the majestic wooden structure that his family and friends helped him to build. Many joyous moments and epic memories were had by all. The family still enjoys spending time there, especially knowing it was built by the hands of their Grandpa.
Carl O’Kusky lived for what he loved. He loved his family, friends and his animals. He loved Genesee, Red Man tobacco, and banana cream pie. He never ventured far from the Farm. He hunted there, he grew vegetables there, and wrote a Hollywood story there. Carl O’Kusky is the hero to every story. One we will never forget!
Carl is survived by his beloved wife Joyce; son Carl O’Kusky Jr. and wife Emma Jean, daughter Laura Drake and husband Gary. His Grandson’s Kevin Drake( April Green) Kowen Drake, Kyle O’Kusky (Amanda) and Great Grandchildren Sawyer Drake, Carson and Charlotte O’Kusky, Jake, Ava, Max and Emme Rodriguez. His brother Constant ( Toukey ) who resides in Lewis at the age of 94. Many nieces, nephews and extended family. He always looked forward to his visits with his family and friends, along with telling a few stories of “back in the day”, which were sure to capture your attention.
Carl was 9 of 10 children and was predeceased by his Polish immigrant parents who came to America and met at Ellis Island at the age of 14. His Mother Theodora and Father Constant O’Kusky. His sisters Sophie (Harold) Colburn, Anna (Benny) Lopez, Helen (Pat) Hebert, Jennie (Ray) Fields, Regina (John) Varno, Josephine (Rufus) Yelle, Irene (Alvin) Matazinski and his brother Hank (Bessy) O’Kusky.
May he rest in peace knowing he left a resounding impression on everyone he encountered and a monumental legacy for his family and friends to be proud of.