William Cushing Jr's Obituary
William S. Cushing, age 99 of Boca Raton, FL passed away on October 9, 2019.
Bill lived an extraordinary life. The third of 6 siblings, he spent his early years in prohibition-era Florida, and enjoyed telling stories of his time there as a boy. He served on the island of Guam in the Navy during WWII as a Communications Specialist. He was also the Company Bugler and played trumpet in the Officers Club jazz band. He spent his post-war years working as an Engineer with IBM in both FL and CA. Bill represented IBM at the American National Exhibition in Moscow in 1959, perhaps best known for the famous “Kitchen Debate” between then US Vice-President Nixon and Russian Premier Khrushchev. His experiences in Moscow added to his expansive storytelling repertoire. The Cushing family enjoyed traveling, including a year in Europe, with the trip chronicled in a detailed journal kept by his wife Dorothy. They lived in San Jose, CA for several years as part of Bill’s IBM career before moving back to FL and settling in Boca Raton.
Bill enjoyed a long period of retirement, spent helping others with his ability to fix just about anything from Hammond organs to hair dryers. His passion for music and performing continued throughout his life; he was always at the ready with his trumpet, harmonica and voice. He was well-loved by his friends and neighbors and will be sorely missed.
Bill was preceded in death by his loving wife of 69 years Dorothy Spain and daughter Teresa Cushing Tucker. He is survived by his son Tom (Melinda Phillips), his son-in-law Richard Brackett Tucker, grandson John Brackett Tucker, and extensive extended family and friends.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday October 16th in the funeral home chapel at Palm Beach Memorial Park, 3691 Seacrest Blvd, Lantana, FL 33462. 561-586-1237. Visitation will begin at 10:00AM, with the opportunity to share thoughts and memories of Bill, followed by graveside internment. Floral tributes at the service are appreciated. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in honor of William S. Cushing to Honor Flight Network, a non-profit organization transporting America’s Veterans to Washington, DC to visit memorials dedicated to honor the service and sacrifices of themselves and their friends. www.honorflight.org, or Honor Flight, Box L-4016, Columbus, OH 43260-4016.
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