Camden People - James J. Cusick Sr.

JAMES J. CUSICK SR. was born on August 24, 1914, one of at least five children born to Margaret and Robert Cusick Sr. The Cusicks were living at 1489 Kenwood Avenue in Parkside in September of 1918, but moved shortly afterwards. The 1930 Census shows the family in Collingswood, New Jersey. Robert Cusick Sr. was a captain with the Pennsylvania Railroad's police force, charged with guarding freight, mail, and passenger trains. Besides James the family included older brothers Robert Jr. and Harry, as well as two younger children, Joseph and Anna.

James J. Cusick served with the United States Army during World War II. He had been married prior to going overseas and was the father of one a son, Robert. He and his wife divorced while he was overseas, and the boy was placed for adoption. James J. Cusick served in India aboard

one of the Army's river patrol craft. After returning to Camden at war's end, James J. Cusick married Ruth Barnaby, who also served in the Army as a WAC, seeing service at Fort Dix, New Jersey as a driver.

James J. Cusick Sr. was appointed to the Camden Fire Department in 1947. The 1947 Camden City Directory shows that he was married and that he lived with his wife Ruth at 825 South 6th Street in South Camden. The family later moved to 3115 Kearsarge Road in Fairview.

After many years of faithful service James J. Cusick Sr. retired on a disability pension in 1966. In 1974 his son, James J. Cusick Jr., was appointed to the Camden Fire Department, where he served for three years before leaving to pursue other interests.

James J. Cusick Sr. passed away on February 29, 1980. He was survived by his wife, daughter Joyce Cusick Bohlman, and sons James Jr. and Patrick Cusick. Ruth Cusick joined him in June of 1992, they rest together at Harleigh Cemetery.

World War II Service

My mother during WWII. She was a WAC stationed at Ft. Dix as a driver. She used to brag about all of the different types of vehicles she drove (i.e. staff cars, trucks, half-tracks, & even a Sherman tank once). One of the highlights of her military career was when she was assigned to chauffeur Major Jimmy Stewart around during his visit to Fort Dix.

Pat Cusick
November 11, 2011

Mother and daughter, with their husbands:
William J. Smith & Elizabeth Smith
James J. Cusick & Ruth Cusick

1966 Retirement Dinner for James J. Cusick Sr. at the ICAC

James J. Cusick Sr. is holding his Fireman's Retirement Trophy which they used to give to all of the Camden Fireman upon their retirement. They also gave him a Bible, which is being presented to him by then-Mayor Alfred Pierce.

From left: Milton "Bink" Taylor Sr., Camden Mayor Alfred Pierce, James J. Cusick Sr., Tom Tomkins (1966 ICAC President), and Fred Palumbo.