Dominic A. Cusano

NISKAYUNA - Dominic A. Cusano, 91, died early Memorial Day morning, May 25th. Born on May 20, 1924, he is the son of the late Joseph and Mary Guisto Cusano.
A graduate from Nott Terrace High School, Dominic began his graduate studies at Union College which was interrupted by more than two years in the military service, half of which was spent as a POW in Germany. He returned to Union College and received his B.S. in Physics in 1949.
Cusano had a 44 year research career with the General Electric Company. He obtained his Ph.D. in Physics from R.P.I. in 1959 and acquired 50 U.S patents prior to his retirement. His interests covered luminescence, radiation detection, thin film solar energy conversion, and power semi-conduction. He loved experimental efforts that had practical application.
He led a Kodak/GE team that produced a throwaway printed circuit to sequentially fire two 4-bulb packets in Kodak's "Flip Flash." He set up, fully equipped and managed a "Power module Hybrid Facility" for packaging both microcircuits and silicon power devices. He envisioned that optically clear ceramic bars of high scintillation efficiency could be fabricated by sintering. Together with ceramist, Charles Greskovich, a several year development successfully led to a new, and still current, "Hi-light" detector array which GE Medical systems announced as a major breakthrough for the CAT Scan.
His many interests/hobbies included travel, music, languages, golf, and bowling. He played the saxophone and clarinet in local dance bands, and for fun, he taught himself to play the piano. At social and church events, for yearly GE Christmas skits, and for German Club meetings, he was much sought after as the accompanist and song leader. Dominic was also a devout Catholic and attended mass weekly. He sang in his parish choir at Our Lady of Fatima Church for over 50 years. His children will always remember their home being filled with music and waking up every morning to him playing the piano and singing.
Dominic was a very proud, hard-working, determined and fun loving man. He will always be remembered for his insurmountable love and compassion he had for his family and was a totally devoted father and husband.
Dom is survived by his loving wife Patricia Oropallo Cusano; children, Dennis Cusano, Diane Sleasman and her husband John, the late Douglas Cusano and his wife Patricia; siblings Carl Cusano and the late Michelina, and the late Joe Cusano and Claire; grandchildren, Brent Mason and his wife Kathy, Brad Mason, Douglas and his wife Cara, Geoffrey, Cristina, Matthew, Jason, Nicholas, and Greg Cusano; Great-grand children, Trenton, Alexandra, and Dominic; Nieces and nephews, Richard, Joseph, Ronald, Carl, the late Maria, and Michelle.
Services will be held on Friday at 8 am from the Rossi & Ditoro Funeral Home, 501 Union Street (at N. Jay) and then to St. Kateri Tekakwitha Church, Rosa Road, were a Mass will be celebrated at 9am. Interment will follow in Most Holy Redeemer Cemetery, Niskayuna.
Relatives and friends are invited to call at the Rossi & Ditoro Funeral Home on Thursday from 4 to 7 pm.
Memorial contributions may be made in Dominic's memory to a charity of one's choice.