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Raymond Fusco, Sr.

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Raymond Fusco, Sr., of Bradenton., Florida, passed away on March 10, 2023.

On his 100th birthday, Ray was surrounded by his family and loved ones who came to celebrate his century of life and love. In his final years and days, his family and friends stayed in touch with him through their visits, calls, and the weekly Fusco Family Zoom meetings, a tradition that Ray started during the pandemic. His daughter, Nancy, and her spouse, David, were also with him every day as his roommates and caregivers.

Ray was a middle child and the last of the eight children that Louis and Angelina Fusco raised in Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey, after they both immigrated to America from Praiano and Agerola on the Amalfi Coast of Italy. Raised during the Great Depression, he enlisted in the Marines after graduating high school in 1940 and served his country fighting in Guadalcanal during World War II. While he was stationed in North Carolina, he met and married Mary Brinson, with whom he raised five children in his hometown of Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey. Trained as a radio operator by the Marines, he expanded on those technical skills to build a career in television production, which led him to travel the world as a technical producer of sporting events including the "Thrilla in Manila" boxing match between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier, the "Rumble in the Jungle" match between Muhammad Ali and George Forman, and the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul, South Korea. He later established his own business, which produced promotional interview videos for major film production companies in California.

He worked well into his 80s and in retirement he always had hobbies that kept his days full and his mind sharp, including baking the best biscotti on the planet, which were cherished by family and friends who regularly received his coveted batches by mail. He openly shared with his family that choices he made in his youth led to the dissolution of his nearly 30-year marriage. Two decades after that he met Sally Kent, who was recently widowed after a 40-year marriage. Neither Ray nor Sally imagined that they would find themselves in a deep and loving marriage again, but when they met it was love at first sight for both of them and they married the following year. They loved each other fully and passionately and shared that love with their large extended family. When Sally passed away in 2016, Ray lost the love of his life. He missed her and longed for her joyful companionshipevery day since. He would begin each day singing to her, as he did when she was alive, and telling her how much he loved and missed her. His last song to Sally in this life was on March 10, 2023. He passed away peacefully at his home in Bradenton, Florida, with the help of Tidewell Hospice.

Ray was predeceased by his wife, Sally Fusco; his eldest daughter, Mary Ann Fusco; and his seven brothers and sisters. He is survived by his son, Raymond Fusco Jr. (Lynne); daughters, Nancy Fusco (David Young), Angela Nacos (Chuck) and Donna Fusco; stepson, Richard Kent (Linda); stepdaughter, Maddy Dychtwald (Ken) and numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews. All will miss him and will take the love he showered them with and carry it forward. Riposa con gli angeli!

The family will hold a private memorial gathering by Zoom. Brown & Sons Funeral Homes & Crematory 26th Street Chapel, 5624 26th Street West Bradenton, FL 34207 is in charge of the arrangements.

Condolences may be made at www.brownandsonsfuneral.com.