James Alan Cousino was born in Toledo, Ohio on October 28, 1938, one of twins born to the late Isaiah J. and Thelma (Baird) Cousino.
Jim attended Catholic Central High School, graduating in 1956. He attended the University of Dayton for two years before completing Michigan State University's Agriculture Short Course, where he received the Outstanding Leadership Award in 1960. He married Prudence Cousino on February 4, 1961 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Erie, Michigan.
Jim began his lifelong farming career by working with I.J. and B.L. Cousino Hay and Straw; in 1968 he became the president of Erie Farms, Inc. Jim retired from this position in 2001, and then began working for C. Reau Farms in Erie.
Like his mother, Jim was extremely patriotic, with a passion for both American history and the American flag.
He served as a volunteer firefighter for the LaSalle Fire Department for eight years and for the Erie Fire Department for ten years. He was a member of the Erie Township Planning Commission and most recently served with the CDBG Program in Erie. He was a charter member of the Erie Liar's Club, which meets daily at the Erie Restaurant. Jim was a man of few words, but taught others the value of hard work and led by example.
James A. Cousino passed away Thursday, February 18, 2010 at age 71. He was preceded in death by his parents.
He leaves his wife, Prudy; four daughters: Sister Colleen Marie Cousino, SND of Toledo, Christy Cousino of Bozeman, MT, Annette (Chris) Hirschfeld of Indianapolis, IN, and Renee Cousino-Feil (Bill Feil) of Phoenix, AZ; Chris Cousino of LaSalle, a nephew whom he helped raise; four grandchildren: Douglas and Thomas Hirschfeld and Eric and Nicole Feil; and his twin sister, Janet Kronk of Morris Plains, NJ.
Friends may gather Sunday, February 21 and Monday, February 22 from 3:00 pm until 8:00pm at Merkle Funeral Service, Bennett-Erie, 9156 Summit Street (734) 848-5185. On Tuesday, February 23 he will lie in state at St. Joseph Church, Erie, from 10:30 am until the Mass of the Resurrection at 11:30am, followed by burial in St. Joseph Cemetery.
Memorial suggestions include Masses for the deceased, donations to St. Joseph School, or donations to the Sisters of Notre Dame. To leave online condolences, visit www.merklefuneralservice.com, and then select Life Stories page.
James Alan Cousino was born in Toledo, Ohio on October 28, 1938, one of twins born to the late Isaiah J. and Thelma (Baird) Cousino.
Jim attended Catholic Central High School, graduating in 1956. He attended the University of Dayton for two years before completing Michigan State University's Agriculture Short Course, where he received the Outstanding Leadership Award in 1960. He married Prudence Cousino on February 4, 1961 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Erie, Michigan.
Jim began his lifelong farming career by working with I.J. and B.L. Cousino Hay and Straw; in 1968 he became the president of Erie Farms, Inc. Jim retired from this position in 2001, and then began working for C. Reau Farms in Erie.
Like his mother, Jim was extremely patriotic, with a passion for both American history and the American flag.
He served as a volunteer firefighter for the LaSalle Fire Department for eight years and for the Erie Fire Department for ten years. He was a member of the Erie Township Planning Commission and most recently served with the CDBG Program in Erie. He was a charter member of the Erie Liar's Club, which meets daily at the Erie Restaurant. Jim was a man of few words, but taught others the value of hard work and led by example.
James A. Cousino passed away Thursday, February 18, 2010 at age 71. He was preceded in death by his parents.
He leaves his wife, Prudy; four daughters: Sister Colleen Marie Cousino, SND of Toledo, Christy Cousino of Bozeman, MT, Annette (Chris) Hirschfeld of Indianapolis, IN, and Renee Cousino-Feil (Bill Feil) of Phoenix, AZ; Chris Cousino of LaSalle, a nephew whom he helped raise; four grandchildren: Douglas and Thomas Hirschfeld and Eric and Nicole Feil; and his twin sister, Janet Kronk of Morris Plains, NJ.
Friends may gather Sunday, February 21 and Monday, February 22 from 3:00 pm until 8:00pm at Merkle Funeral Service, Bennett-Erie, 9156 Summit Street (734) 848-5185. On Tuesday, February 23 he will lie in state at St. Joseph Church, Erie, from 10:30 am until the Mass of the Resurrection at 11:30am, followed by burial in St. Joseph Cemetery.
Memorial suggestions include Masses for the deceased, donations to St. Joseph School, or donations to the Sisters of Notre Dame. To leave online condolences, visit www.merklefuneralservice.com, and then select Life Stories page.
