Lester Fusco

January 5, 2017

Alpha 1958 – 1959

Lester V. Fusco

Newark teacher and principal, known for his love of family and zest for life.

Lester V. Fusco, 78, of Caldwell, N.J., died Jan. 5, 2017

Born to Sylvester and Mollie Fusco, Lester was raised in Newark, N.J., and graduated from Barringer High School.

He went on to receive his Bachelor’s Degree from Newark State College, now known as Kean University, in 1961.

While at Newark State College, he was one of the Founding Brothers of Sigma Beta Tau Fraternity in 1958, where he remained an Active member of the Sigma Beta Tau Alumni Organization throughout the rest of his life. Whenever there was a gathering of the Brotherhood, you could always count on there being a crowd of both the “old’ and the “new” Brothers clustered around Lester listening to his hilarious retelling of our early years. He was a “walking, talking, history book” of how and why Sigma Beta Tau became such a powerful force on campus.

He began his teaching career in Weequahic High School in Newark and he would continue his education at Seton Hall University where he would receive his Master’s Degree. Lester worked for the Newark Public School system for 36 years, working his way up to being the Principal at Roseville Elementary School.

Lester was elected to the Newark Athletic Hall of Fame and also served on the Essex County Vocational School Board for many years. He was a member of the Giblin Association and the Benedetto Croce Assocation. He also proudly served in the United States Marine Corps Reserve.

As a man proud of his Italian heritage, he spent some of his happiest times traveling to Italy. Lester will be remembered for his love of family, appreciation for fine food, and his zest for life.

He leaves behind his beloved wife, Kathleen Rafferty Fusco and his children, his sons Kenneth Fusco along with Vincent Fusco and his wife Lori McGrogan, his stepchildren Sharon Rafferty and Ellen Rafferty Brown and her husband Dan. His cherished grandchildren, Ryan, Michael, Erin, Jordan Paris, Sean & Kyle Brown, and his sister Linda Huhn and her husband Paul.

Lester was, and always will be, one of those larger than life people who we count ourselves as being privileged to have known

Some thoughts of Lester by Paul DiCorcia dated January 8, 2017:

I am very sorry to report to you that Brother Lester Fusco, Age 78 from our Alpha Pledge Class died on Jan. 5, 2017.

His viewing will be on Monday, Jan. 9. 2017 from 5 – 8pm at the Farmer Funeral Home, 45 Roseland Ave, Roseland, NJ.

Lester pledged Sigma Beta Tau in 1958 as one of our Alpha Pledge Class and received his Bachelor degree from Newark State College in 1961. He would go on with his education getting his Master’s Degree from Seton Hall, University. Lester started his teaching career in the Newark Public School system and worked his way up to being a Principal.

For anyone who ever had the pleasure of spending just 5 minutes in his company, you will know that you always left with a great big smile on your face. He was a man of many accomplishments and he greatly enjoyed his time with the Brothers of Sigma Beta Tau. He would tell story, after story, after story, each one more incredible and funnier than the last.

He will be greatly missed by his wife, children, grandchildren and the Brothers of Sigma Beta Tau.