Obituary of Richard Krusell

Richard "Dick" Arthur Krusell, a resident of Cazenovia, NY for 57 years, flew home on April 25, 2017 at age 93.
 
A native of North Brookfield, MA, Dick was born on September 27, 1923, the only son of John Arthur and Gladys Emily (McKerley) Krusell and little brother to Elinor.  Although John Krusell died in 1925, it was often said that Dick was very much like his father.   

Dick graduated from North Brookfield High School where he met the love of his life, Mary R. Burnell. 

In 1941, amidst increasing threats of war, Dick enlisted in the Navy. By January 1942, he was a certified aviation machinist mate aboard the U.S.S. WASP CV-7, dodging submarines as they transported Spitfires from Scotland to Malta.  Dick worked on several bases along the east coast before returning to MA where he managed engine change crews. 

Dick and Mary married in 1947.  Two children and a home in Abington, MA followed. 

In 1954, Dick changed careers to insurance claims and moved the family to Windsor Locks, CT.  Six years later, the family moved to Cazenovia when he was transferred to Syracuse, NY and promoted to property damage claims supervisor.  In 1990, after 36 years in the property damage insurance claims business, Dick retired from General Accident.

After retirement, Dick served as an insurance consultant and independent adjuster, assisted with a federal census, did a bit of investigative work with Mary, and dived into genealogy research. 

He also earned his pilot's license, airframe and power plant mechanic's license, and restored a Cessna Skyhawk 172.  (Some Cazenovians may remember seeing him working on it, sans wings, in his temporarily extended one car garage!)  Dick and Mary enjoyed flying nearly every chance they had and took a month long trip to visit distant family members and explore the country, creating wonderful new memories along the way. 

Dick's big blue eyes, empathy, endless curiousity, humour, and story telling will be sorely missed by all who knew him.  He loved interviewing people, finding common ground, gently probing until he drew out life stories, and crafting a question to test each individual's character.   

A former president of the Syracuse Claims Association and Chapter 486 of the Experimental Aircraft Association in Fulton, NY, Dick was also a member of New York State's Arson Investigator Association, the U.S.S. WASP CV-7 Stinger Club, Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, Cessna Pilots Association, and Academy of Model Aeronautics. 

He is survived by his beloved wife of 70 years, Mary R. (neé Burnell) Krusell; daughter, Karen A. Krusell; son, Richard A. Krusell Jr.; daughter-in-law, Dora Alicia Duran-Hernandez; grandson, Richard A. Krusell III and his wife, Carmen L. (neé Ferreira) Krusell; two great-grandsons, Armando A. and Alejandro J. Krusell; niece, Ann M. Champigny; nephews, John R. and Thomas J. Steiger; cousins, John F. and William F. Krusell and each of their families; dear friends and neighbors.

A private Memorial Mass was held at St. James Church in Cazenovia. Interment will be in Walnut Grove Cemetery in North Brookfield, Massachusetts.  

In lieu of flowers, random acts of kindness that unite us, rather than divide us, would be deeply appreciated.