Jerome L. Lusa's Obituary
Jerome Lawrence Lusa, age 90, of Stafford Springs, Connecticut, passed away peacefully on Monday, April 6, 2026, at Hartford Hospital, with his wife Patrice by his side. He was born on April 16, 1935, in Stafford Springs to Antonio and Patricia Murray Lusa.
Jerome graduated from Stafford High School in 1953 and continued his education at the Teachers College of Connecticut and the University of Connecticut. During and after his college years, he served as a medic in the Connecticut National Guard.
A lifelong resident of Stafford, Jerome was actively involved in various business ventures and civic organizations in his younger years. At Stafford High, he was a standout multi-sport athlete, lettering in football, baseball, and basketball—notably playing for the 1953 Class C State Championship basketball team. His peers recognized his natural leadership early on, electing him Class President for multiple years and King of the Stafford High School’s Halloween Party.
Jerome served his Stafford community in nearly every capacity imaginable: as the founder and first president of the Stafford Jaycees, as a member of the Stafford Springs Fire Department, as the Borough Tree Warden, and as Warden of the Borough Court of Burgesses. He was a champion for local youth, founding the Stafford Midget Football Association and the Stafford Soccer Club, and volunteering as a CCD teacher at St. Edward’s Church. Whether he was waterskiing on the cover of the Hartford Courant Magazine or moderating local elections, Jerome lived with a vigor and dedication to Stafford Springs that will be long remembered.
Jerome’s work life varied greatly starting with a newspaper delivery route through Staffordville, then as an engineer trainee at Hamilton Standard, followed by work as a prison guard in Somers. His entrepreneurial drive was evident as early as 1958 when he began leasing and operating local service stations, including "Jerry’s Flying A" in Rockville and "Lusa’s Jet Service" in Stafford Spring. He was a man who built things—quite literally—once tearing down a house next to the Co-Op to reuse the lumber to build his own home on Prospect Street. Over the decades, his business ventures spanned from real estate and demolition to operating Economy Sales oil delivery and blacktop paving, running Bradley Bowling Alleys and Pool Hall, the Top of the Town Restaurant, and later Machinery Services in Hartford with his son James.
Besides the civic involvement of his younger years, Jerome had a deep love for the water, enjoying water skiing on Staffordville Lake with family and friends, as well as boating and fishing off the coasts of Westerly, Rhode Island, and the Bahamas.
He is survived by his devoted wife, Patrice Maycock Lusa; his four sons, Jerome (Gayle), James (Jennifer), John (Mae), and Patrick; his “Grandson of the Heart,” Keyron George; 10 grandchildren; and 7 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister, Patricia Lusa Greika; his brother, Paul (Judy) Lusa; 6 sisters-in-law, 8 brothers-in-law as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by his brothers, Anthony Lusa and Peter Lusa.
Special thanks are extended to his nephew Dino Lusa and his friend John Soucy for their invaluable support in his later years. The family also expresses deep gratitude to the providers, nursing staff, and patient care technicians at Hartford Hospital’s Heart and Vascular Institute, Hartford HealthCare, and Preferred Healthcare Associates of Stafford Springs.
A celebration of Jerome’s life will be held at a future date. In memory of Jerome, contributions may be made to a local food bank. To leave a message of sympathy for his family, please visit: https://www.introvignefuneralhome.com
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