EDMUND FUSCO Sr.

FUSCO, EDMUND J. SR. Edmund J. Fusco, Sr., one of Connecticut’s preeminent builders and real estate investors, died on September 24, 2014. He was 91. The immediate cause was pneumonia, and his wife was with him at the time of his death. Son of Mary Scaramozza Fusco and Louis Fusco Sr., founder of Fusco Corporation, Mr. Fusco graduated from Hopkins Grammar School and Yale University, Class of ’45. Mr. Fusco interrupted his education at Yale to enlist in the Army Air Corp and was a navigator in a B-24 during World War II. He flew 17 missions before his plane was shot down in an Allied raid over Ploesti, Romania. He was a POW in Germany for 10 months. When the war ended, he returned to Yale and graduated with a degree in civil engineering. He began his career working with his father and, over the years, built his father’s construction company into one of the largest and most successful construction and real estate development firms in the state. In his heyday, the outgoing and self-effacing developer amassed a remarkably diverse portfolio of property, becoming either the sole owner or ownership partner in many large real estate holdings across the east coast. Mr. Fusco built many of this region’s landmark properties. A skilled engineer and negotiator with a particular gift for creativity in finance, he was masterly in the role of putting together complex deals. He was particularly proud of his development of the Long Wharf Maritime Center in his native New Haven, and he had an office there where he went to work every day until earlier this year. A frequent presence with his wife and close friends in small restaurants throughout the shoreline, Mr. Fusco was an avuncular man with an engaging personality and a mind that was always lively and curious. “I love to work and cannot imagine how to retire,” he was often heard to say. He was an avid Red Sox fan and loved football. In addition to his wife Mary, other survivors include his daughters, Lynn Fusco, Lauren Baumann (Peter), and Laurie Fusco and a son, Ed Jr. (Jodi), and his grandchildren, Natalie and Jane Baumann, David Baumann, Mark Fusco and Christopher Fusco. In addition, he is also survived by a brother, Louis Fusco and a sister, Roseanne Gaulkin. Mr. Fusco was pre-deceased by a son, Mark. Funeral services will be held Friday, September 26th, at 11:00 AM at St. Therese’s Church, 105 Leetes Island Road, Branford. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Mark Fusco Foundation, 555 Long Wharf Drive, Suite 14, New Haven, CT 06511. The IOVANNE FUNERAL HOME, INC. is in care of Mr. Fusco’s arrangements. Sign Mr. Fusco’s guest book online at www.iovanne.com.