John "JJ" Kushwara

WALLINGFORD - John “JJ” Kushwara, 95, passed away peacefully with his loving family by his side, Sunday September 27, 2015. John was predeceased by the love of his life, Marcia (Yarosis) Kushwara.

John, the youngest son of the late Harry (Gregorie) and Mary (Shirak) Kushwara was born in Waterbury, CT on July 7, 1920 and graduated from Leavenworth High School in Waterbury. John worked at Chase Brass Manufacturing and Scovill Manufacturing as a die sinker until he joined the Marine Corps in 1942. John served in the Marine Corps during World War II and proudly fought on the island of Okinawa until the end of the war surviving a Typhoon. After returning from the war, John constructed and built his own home with his wife, Marcia, on Mountain Road in Cheshire. John started his own tool and die shop, Precision Engineering in Milldale, CT, which he eventually sold to Rex Forge. John worked at Rex Forge, where he became a foreman for the machine shop, until the age of 89.

John had belonged to the Construction Duckpin Bowling League in Waterbury where he bowled a high score of 201. He also loved deep sea fishing and round and square dancing with his wife. He was also active with the Santa Fe Ancient Fife & Drum Corps with his children in Cheshire. John always enjoyed time with his family and friends telling his incredible stories about his time in the Marine Corps. He especially enjoyed attending activities his grandchildren were involved in and time with his granddogs.

Besides his wife and parents, John was predeceased by his brother, Andrew Kushwara and many friends. Left behind to grieve the loss of such an incredible man are his devoted children; Christopher Kushwara and his wife Kathleen of Thomaston, Mary J. (MJ) Kushwara of Wallingford, Jan Kelleher and her husband Steve of Thomaston; his granddaughters Jessica Ottavio and her husband Shawn of Stratford, Kaitlyn Girardin and her husband Jason of Litchfield, Sarah Kushwara and her husband Nicholas Patnaude of St. George, Virginia, Rebecca Kushwara of Cromwell, his grandson, Patrick Kelleher of Thomaston; his great grandsons, Aucklan and Beckett Ottavio and his great granddaughter, Monroe Girardin. John also leaves behind Marcia Aleksunes of West Hartford whom he considered his adopted daughter and longtime friend and brother-in-law Joseph Ceuch of Terryville.

John’s family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to the staff at Masonicare in Wallingford on 5 Ramage for bringing so much happiness into his 3 months on their floor and to the staff on the hospice unit for their tenderness and compassion in John’s final days.

Arrangements – Funeral service will be held on Thursday October 1, 2015, 9:15 from the Alderson-Ford Funeral home of Cheshire, 615 S. Main St. to St. Bridget Church for a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m. Burial will follow in St. Bridget Cemetery. Calling hours will be held on Wednesday from 6 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to Wounded Warrior Project, PO BOX 758517, Topeka, KS 66675.