Abingdon, Virginia
Harry Richard Cuskey, 89, died in his home on December 29, 2023. He was born on January 29, 1934 to Harry John Cuskey and Dorothy Mae Bolyard Cuskey on a military base in Uniontown, PA. He said his childhood was spent “like horse manure in a stable – all over.” When WWII broke out, Harry’s father was sent overseas, which led him, his mother and sister to move to his mother’s hometown of Rowlesburg, WV. During this time, he often stayed with his Uncle Carroll and Aunt Harriet, where he learned how to farm, keep bees, chop wood and safely use dynamite. His uncle and aunt were incredibly dear to him and had a profound and lasting influence on his development.
He met Joan Morrison while attending West Virginia University and they were married on May 30, 1955. He volunteered for the draft and served in the army from 1956-1958. In 1962, he graduated from the Indiana Institute of Technology as an electrical engineer and was hired with Essex Wire Corporation, starting employment in Fort Wayne, IN, then moving to Rockford, IL. He took a job with Westinghouse Wire Division and moved his family to Abingdon, VA in 1970, where he lived until his death. He worked at Westinghouse as the Manager of Manufacturing until his retirement on December 31, 1994. He consulted for the Small Business Administration of the Commonwealth of Virginia for five years after his retirement from Westinghouse.
Harry was a member of Abingdon United Methodist Church where he worked with the Youth Group, taught Sunday School, maintained and repaired the church building and sang with the choir. In earlier years, he volunteered as a counselor at Camp Ahistadi. In later years, he made a point of getting people to church who were otherwise physically unable to go.
In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his wife, Joan Morrison Cuskey; son-in-law, Ron Curtis Miller; sister, Helen Mae Shaffer; and grandson, Ephraim Branson Batten. He is survived by his seven children, Cheryl Miller of Kingsport, TN; Craig Cuskey of Louisville, KY; Carrie Baysinger and husband Gary of Portland, OR; Cathy Large of Hensley, AR; Connie Eadie and husband Marc of Panama City, FL; Cameron Cuskey and wife Erica of Spotsylvania, VA; and Cindy Batten and husband Tim of Jonesborough, TN; seventeen grandchildren, Beth Ball and husband Jonathan; Rachel Tisdale and husband Justin; Emily Miller; Meagan Cuskey; Kiersten Cuskey; Noah Baysinger; Nadia Baysinger; Grace Maslowski and husband Taylor; Jacob Eadie and wife Tori; Pierce Eadie; Quinn Cuskey; Logan Cuskey; Atlas Batten; Oliver Batten; Joanne Batten; Sagan Batten and Elise Batten; three great-grandchildren, Anna Tisdale; Chloe Tisdale; and Ellie Eadie; and his pug, Daisy.
He was a guiding hand for his children, his wife and his community, a consummate storyteller and a gifted musician. He was deeply loved and will be sorely missed.
The family will receive friends on Sunday, January 14, 2024 from 2:00 P.M. until 4:00 P.M. at Abingdon United Methodist Church with a funeral service to follow the visitation at 4:00 P.M. with the Reverend Glenn Patterson officiating. A graveside service will be held on Monday, January 15, 2024 at 10:00 A.M at Forest Hills Memory Gardens. Those wishing to attend are asked to meet at the cemetery by 9:45 A.M.
Frost Funeral Home and Cremation Services is honored to be serving the family of Mr. Cuskey.