Andrew Calusine

As the Lord Jesus promised in his Holy word, He took Andrew Calusine, 81, of Ellington, home to be with Him forever on December 5th, and mercifully during sleep. The youngest and last surviving of eight siblings, he was greeted in glory by his parents Keary and Anna Calusine, brothers Peter, Bill and John, and sisters Stella, Mary, Lois and Helen; nephews Brian Okeson and Wesley Berner, and great-grandson baby Jason Yachimowski. Remaining behind are Barbara (Wills) Calusine, his faithful wife of 62 years; his five children Richard Calusine of Ellington, Lorraine (Mark) Davenport of Houston, TX, Mark (Laureen) Calusine of Enfield, Jane (Sheldon) Stine of Bloomsburg, PA, and Robert Calusine of Ellington; his nine grandchildren Jennifer, Timothy and Philip Calusine; Marla Cook and Aaron Buob; Thomas and Jordan Calusine; Amanda Yachimowski and Nathan Stine; and his six great-grandchildren Julia, Zacheary, Hannah, Leora, Garrett and Gabriel. Andrew was born in Hartford in 1932, moved to West Hartford as a youth and graduated from Hall High School. He studied classical piano, and learned to play trumpet from the Salvation Army. Andrew enlisted in the Air Force in 1951 and was assigned as a radioman/cryptographer detached to the intelligence service in Japan during the Korean War. After honorable discharge Andrew worked for the Hartford Courant for 30 years as a typesetter. For most of his life Andrew served as church organist and choir director: first at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Suffield, and for the past 30 years at St. Mathews Lutheran Church in New Britain. All who heard him play appreciated his musical talent for classical, liturgical and gospel music on piano and organ. Few realized that what made his hymnal music curiously rich and attractive was his personal style of subtle and tasteful improvisation beyond the written notes. In 1987 Andrew retired from the Hartford Courant to start an organ repair and tuning business. He was later joined by his sons who will continue on with what Andrew had the courage to start. In lieu of flowers please consider donations in Andrew's name to Our Savior Lutheran Church, Attention: Music Fund. Calling hours will be Tuesday, December 10th from 10-11 a.m. at Our Savior Lutheran Church, 239 Graham Rd., South Windsor, CT followed by a funeral service at 11 a.m. officiated by Rev. Randall Pekari. The burial service with military honors will be at Ellington Cemetery, after which people are invited to return to the church hall for lunch and reminiscing about Andrew. Ladd Funeral Home, Rockville has been entrusted with arrangements. For online condolences please visit www.carmonfuneralhome.com.