Obituary of Jack Donald Cussen

Jack D. Cussen Beloved Husband, Father & Grandfather Lifelong Banker Jack Donald Cussen of Essex Fells, NJ, passed away peacefully on the morning of Tuesday, February 20, 2018. Jack has left us with a legacy of loyalty and devotion. A Liturgy for the Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament R.C. Church, 28 Livingston Avenue, Roseland, NJ 07068 on Saturday, February 24, 2018 at 10:00 am. Arrangements are entrusted to the Codey & Jones Funeral Home of Caldwell. Please visit www.codeyjonesfh.com to extend a condolence or share a memory. Jack was born in Pittsburgh, PA to John and Eunice (Ramsey) Cussen. Soon after the family moved to New Jersey where he and his sisters, Eunice and Joan, were raised. Jack graduated from Grover Cleveland High School and from Colgate University. He met and married the love of his life, Judy Brown, and together they raised their three boys in West Caldwell and Essex Fells. Jack had a true gift for finance and banking. His career spanned many decades and encompassed the founding and later sale of Suburban Finance Company in the 1970's. Upon the sale of Suburban, Jack embarked a career in commercial banking and served until 2006 in the executive ranks at First Fidelity Bank, Summit Bank, Ocean First Bank, and Bank of America. His greatest professional achievement, however was his founding of Leaders Financial Company in 2006 which grew from 3 employees at its founding to over 30 in the 12 years since being founded. Jack served as Chairman of the Board of Leaders until the day of his passing. Surviving are his beloved wife, Judith Ann; devoted sons, Donald and his wife, Marla, Douglas and Matthew; and his cherished granddaughter, Bridget. In lieu of flowers, donations in Jack's memory to the Wounded Warrior Project, PO Box 7586517, Topeka, KS 66675-8517 (www.woundedwarriorproject.org), Volunteer Lawyers for Justice P.O. Box 32040, Newark, NJ 07102 ( www.vljnj.org/tribute/) or the Verona Lions Club, PO Box 38, Verona, NJ 07044 would be deeply appreciated.