Harry J. Cusick

Harry Joseph James Cusick, age 73, beloved husband of Cecelia J. (Skala) Cusick, of Royersford, PA, passed away on Monday, September 17, 2018 in the Pottstown Hospital - Tower Health. Born on April 3, 1945 in Philadelphia, PA, he was a son of the late Harry and Rita (Leahan) Cusick. Mr. Cusick graduated from Father Judge High School in Philadelphia, PA. He attended Penn State University, Philadelphia Community College, Holy Family University, and received his Master's degree from St. Joseph University. He was a member of the Philadelphia Fire Department, rising through the ranks from a Firefighter to a Battalion Chief. He was the Chief of the Philadelphia Fire Academy at the time the old academy closed, and the new was opened. He was a Fire Marshal in Philadelphia, and was an integral asset to the founding of the HAZMAT team in Philadelphia, where he would eventually lead as a Chief. Following his retirement from the Philadelphia Fire Department, he went to work for R.F. Weston in environmental studies. He then moved on to St. Joseph University, where he served as the Director of Occupational and Environmental Studies, and finally moved on to the University of Pennsylvania, where he was the Fire and Occupational Safety Director. Mr. Cusick was asked to join the Domestic Preparedness Task Force, which eventually turned into the Department of Homeland Security, where he traveled the United States serving as a HAZMAT training officer. He was also involved with the Department of State Anti-Terrorism Unit, traveling abroad internationally as a HAZMAT trainer. Mr. Cusick enjoyed sharing his knowledge and wealth of stories from experiences with those around him. In addition to his wife, Mr. Cusick is survived by two children, Cecelia, wife of the late Wayne Harris of Telford, PA and Harry J., husband of Theresa (Falini) Cusick of Royersford, PA; three greatly loved grandchildren, Rachael, Claire, and Dominic James; three siblings, Rita Schmidlin of Williamstown, NJ, John, husband of Joan Cusick of Philadelphia, PA, and Anne, wife of John Coyle of Southampton, PA; eight Godchildren; many nieces and nephews; and countless friends worldwide. Relatives and friends are invited to attend his funeral mass at the Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church, Lewis Road at Walnut Street, Royersford, PA on Friday, September 21, 2018 at 12:00 pm. Burial will be held in the St. Ann Cemetery, Phoenixville, PA. Friends will be received from 9:00 am - 11:30 am Friday at the Church. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in his name to the Philadelphia Fire Deptartment Local 22 Widow's Fund, 415 N 5th St, Philadelphia, PA 19123. Condolences may be made by visiting www.RoyersfordFuneralHome.com. Arrangements are being handled by the Cattermole - Klotzbach Funeral Home, Royersford, Pennsylvania.

Harry J. Cusick

April 3, 1945 - September 17, 2018