Howard Thomas Cusic ’49

Our class lost a true stalwart when Howie passed away in Newport Beach, Calif., on Aug.17, 2002. He was 76 and had been battling Parkinson's for 10 years.

Howie prepared for Princeton at Roosevelt HS in Yonkers, N.Y., and served in the Army in Europe, landing at Omaha Beach on D-Day and fighting through to the Battle of the Bulge. He was awarded the Purple Heart, with three Oak Leaf Clusters, and three Battle Stars.

At Princeton, Howie majored in chemical engineering, graduating with honors. He was a member of Tiger Inn, and despite his war injuries he was on the varsity football, boxing, and track teams. He won the university heavyweight boxing championship and was awarded the Bonthron Trophy for his "outstanding contributions to Princeton's track interests."

Howie's business career began at Owens-Corning Fiberglass in 1950. Subsequently he was president/CE) of US Polymeric, president of Hitco Corp., group vice president of Armco Steel (Aerospace), president/CEO of Oremet Metallurgical, and he retired as senior vice president of Owens-Corning. He was active in many cultural and community affairs in the Orange County, Calif., area and an ardent supporter of Princeton.

In addition to his wife, Anne, he is survived by a son, Michael; two daughters, Cecelia Lewis and Darby Nett; and five grandchildren. Our class extends its heartfelt sympathy to them all.

The Class of 1949