Joseph Kushner

1914 - 2012

Joseph M. Kushner, age 97, passed away on February 5, 2012, in Sarasota, Florida. He was born to Harry and Lottie Kushner on May 29, 1914, in New London, Connecticut.

Joseph is survived by his significant other of 24 years, Mildred (Miki) Harris; his sister, Honore Kaplan; children, Jean (Ross) Houston of Melbourne, Florida and Jeffrey (Roberta) Kushner of Ft. Myers, Florida; grandchildren, Rachel (Kevin) MacCormack of Tampa, Florida and Jonas (Neena) Kushner of Ft. Myers, Florida; great-grandchildren, Sarah Rose, Olivia Shanti, Ethan Henry, and Max Elliot. He was preceded in death by his wife, Rose Camassar Kushner; Bernard Kushner and Pearl Seidenberg, brother and sister.

Joe graduated Clark University and Boston University Law School. He served honorably in the U.S. Army in Italy and in North Africa until his discharge in 1945.

He was a Groton, Connecticut Town Councilman, Chairman of the Groton Planning Commission, President of the Thames Community Concert Association, President of the Groton Lions Club. He was a prosecutor, a former probate judge, and practiced law in Groton, Connecticut and later practiced law in Ft. Myers, Florida and Sarasota, Florida. He was also active for 25 years as a court mediator in Small Claims Court in Sarasota and did so up until the age of 96.

He was an accomplished violinist and enjoyed playing in the Eastern Connecticut Symphony Orchestra in New London, Connecticut under the direction of Victor Norman, and in Sarasota in the Florida West Coast Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Paul Wolfe. He also played in the Connecticut College Symphony Orchestra. He later enjoyed gathering with friends to play chamber music, which he continued to do until the age of 97.

He was known as JoJo to his great-grandchildren and loved playing violin duets with Sarah, Ethan, and Olivia. Little Max is only 15 months old, so he has not yet had time to take violin lessons. Joe loved and was very proud of the accomplishments of all his children and was especially proud of his two grandchildren, Rachel and Jonas, both attorneys.

An informal reception in Joe's honor will be held at the Sarasota Hyatt Regency Hotel, Tropics Room, on Sunday, February 19, 2012 from 1 - 4 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, if you wish to make a donation in his honor, the family requests that you do so to the Sarasota Orchestra/Youth Orchestra, telephone (941) 487-2737.