Vince Charles Tusa, Sr.

TUSA, VINCE, SR. Vince Charles Tusa, Sr., 91 of Waco, passed away at noon on Sunday, August 15, 2004 at a local nursing facility. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 2pm Tuesday, August 17 at St. Louis Catholic Church with the Rev. David Leibham as celebrant. Burial will follow at Waco Memorial North. Mr. Tusa was born in Highbank, Texas July 19, 1913. One of nine children, he assumed the responsible role in the family at the age of nine, after the death of his father. He and Josephine Denena were married October 8, 1939. After farming for a few years, the family moved to Waco where he and his brother-in-law, Marion Palasota, co-owned a grocery in East Waco. He retired from the grocery business and then worked at the Texas Department of Public Safety in maintenance until retiring. Mr. Tusa was “Pepaw” to all of the grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was a loving husband, and will be greatly missed by his surviving family and friends. He never met a stranger and was always looking forward to the next season to have a bigger and better garden. Despite a lifetime of hard work, he had a positive outlook and was a loving person. He was a devout member of St. Louis Catholic Church and for many years, as long as his health permitted, attended mass every morning before going to work. Mr. Tusa is survived by his wife, Josephine, a resident of Regent Care Nursing Facility, and three of their children: Dr. Vince C. Tusa Betty of Paris, Tennessee, Leonard Tusa Sherry of Waco, and Louise Crites W.W. of Dallas; the youngest child, Karl Wayne Tusa Darlene of Pflugerville, died February 8, 2004. He is also survived by eleven grandchildren and eight great grandchildren; brother, Frank Tusa of Elm Mott and sister, Katheryn Todero of Houston. Honorary pallbearers are Employees of Texas Department of Public Safety. The Tusa family expresses sincere gratitude to the staff of Regent Care Nursing Facility for their care and support to Vince and their continued dedication to the care of Josephine. Memorials may be made to St. Louis Catholic Church, or church or charity of choice. The family invites you to leave a message or memory in our “Memorial Guestbook” at www.wilkirsonhatchbailey.com. WILKIRSON-HATCH-BAILEY