Henry P. Cusick

Henry Paul "Hank" Cusick, 90, a lifelong resident of Worcester, passed away on January 28, 2026. Born in Worcester on June 18, 1935, he was the son of William and Josephine (Kosakowski) Cusick, William from Worcester and Josephine who emigrated from Poland.

Hank attended local schools and graduated from Classical High School in Worcester, where he excelled in basketball and baseball, earning All-City honors in both. Recently he was inducted into the Worcester Public Schools Athletic Hall of Fame.

He studied culinary arts at the University of Massachusetts and began his career in the food industry. While working for the United States Postal Service, he attended Worcester State College during the day, ultimately earning his degree in education.

A proud veteran, Hank served in the United States Army from 1956 to 1958 and received an Honorable Discharge from the U.S. Army Reserves in 1963.

Answering a calling, Hank became a special education teacher. During summers, he directed Camp Joy, serving individuals with physical and intellectual disabilities. He shared his athletic talents generously, coaching softball and working with young athletes at local basketball camps. A service-related injury led to progressive vision loss, and he eventually became legally blind; his patience, humor, and compassion as a teacher and mentor helped him meet that challenge with grace. He was a member of Christ the King Church, the Worcester Senior Center, the Saint Vincent de Paul Society, Disabled American Veterans, the Greendale Social Club, and the Knights of Columbus.

Hank cherished time with his beloved wife, Loretta, and the many hours they spent volunteering together. He was predeceased by his wife, Loretta (Lutfy), and his brother, Carroll. He will be forever loved and remembered by his children, Ernest "Buddy" Cusick and his wife Donna of Plymouth; Deborah DeFranco and her husband Joseph of Falls Church, VA; and Judy Cusick and her husband Christoph Haas of Ramsey, NJ; five grandchildren, Emily Deagen and her husband Mike of Somerville, Natalie Haas of Mahwah, NJ, Niklaus Haas of Zurich, Switzerland, JP DeFranco Fort Collins, Colorado, Marisa DeFranco Los Angeles, California, and Jakob "Kobe" Haas of Ramsey, NJ; and by his great-grandchildren Josephine "JoJo" and Eliza Deagen and Christian Haas. As "Gampi," he attended ballgames and school events.

The family would like to extend thanks for the wonderful care by the staff of Lutheran Rehabilitation and Skilled Care Center, Brookhaven Hospice, Monsignor Sullivan and the parishioners of Christ the King Church and Hank's neighbors.

Family and friends will gather on Monday, February 2, 2026, at Christ the King Church, 1052 Pleasant St., Worcester, for a wake at 9:30 a.m. followed by a Mass of Christian burial at 11 a.m.