Dr. John D. Sussman

1934 - 2024

Dr. John D. Sussman of Rutland, Vermont, and Sleepy Hollow, New York, died peacefully early Sunday morning, September 8, 2024. He was 90.

A devoted family man, John lived for his wife, children, eventually grandchildren, and his pets. He loved animals, good friends, good food, reading (especially history), arguing about politics, and comedy. He had a rich, observant sense of humor that allowed him to see the comedy in life's everyday moments, to laugh, and make everyone around laugh with him. A truly good man and a sweet soul with a sometimes gruff exterior, he embraced the role of "curmudgeon" and proudly drove with a version of that word (CURMUJN) on his license plate.

Born July 10, 1934, to William and Florence Sussman in Yonkers, New York, John graduated from the Horace Mann School class of 1952, Amherst College '56, and NYU Medical School '59. In the mid 1960s he opened a private ophthalmology practice in Tarrytown, NY with surgical privileges at Phelps Memorial Hospital. He was proud of being a successful physician and businessman, yet made a practice of not charging people who weren't able to pay. As he began to wind down his practice, he joined Hudson Valley Eye Associates in Hawthorne before retiring in 2010. In all he practiced ophthalmology for 47 years. In addition to his practice, John was also an accomplished pianist and landscaper, and in his younger years, tennis player.

In 1959, he married Marcia Gellert of Yonkers. They had two children, but ultimately divorced a few years later. In January 1969 he married Gwen Lewis, a first-grade teacher originally from Iowa who shared his love of dogs. John and Gwen had twins in 1973 and raised them, along with Airedales, Scotties, West Highland Terriers, and an occasional cat, in Northern Westchester, before finally settling in North Tarrytown (now Sleepy Hollow), NY. He and Gwen were married for 55 years, and he maintained strong relationships with all his children throughout his life.

In 2010, John and Gwen retired and moved to Rutland, Vermont, joining two of the children and their grandson. There John was a popular volunteer at the Rutland Regional Medical Center, a member of Rutland Jewish Center, and a frequent visitor to Vermont Sport and Fitness.

John is survived by his wife Gwen, his children Ilene Rosen (Mark), Rob Sussman (Mirka), Liz Filskov, and Billy Sussman; and his grandchildren Pamela, Caroline, and Julia Rosen, and Connor Filskov. He will be sorely missed.

In lieu of food or flowers, donations may be sent to the Rutland County Humane Society, rchsvt.org; or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, stjude.org.

Tosing Funeral Home is assisting the family with arangements.