Bernard Victor Cushman, Jr., known to many as “Sonny,” avid music lover, skilled cribbage player, and U.S. Army Veteran, passed away peacefully on Friday, January 3, 2020 at Avow Hospice in Naples, Florida in the company of his son Daniel.
Longtime resident of Marco Island, Florida, Sonny was born on November 8, 1947 in the small harbor village of Port Clyde, Maine to Bernard “Spinner” and Alice Teel Cushman.
He recently spent the past four summers returning to Maine, where he enjoyed simple pleasures like baking, sitting on the dock of his grandfather’s fishing shack, enjoying the company of family and friends, and shooting at squirrels that invaded his bird feeders.
Sonny spent his life as a dedicated hard worker, serving our country in Vietnam and spending over 40 years in the food services and hotel industry. He was equally dedicated to the adventures of life, having picked up cruising in recent years, and regularly engaged in weekly tournaments at a local pool hall.
He leaves behind his wife Barbara, whom he was married to for 47 years; his four children Kimberly, Daniel and his wife Jenn, Alicia, and Bernie; his eight grandchildren Jimmy, Andrew, Devin, Kaylie, Torin, Daniel Jr., Amelia, and Brenden; his great-granddaughter Ariana; his sister Della and her husband Tim Carey; brother-in-law Raymond Upham; nieces and nephews Jeff, Raymie, Chad, Heidi and Matthew, as well as several great nieces and nephews and many aunts and uncles.
In thinking about his entrance to heaven, Sonny expected to “slide in sideways saying ‘oh what a ride!’”, where he would join his parents, sister Beverly, niece Tonya, “son-in-law” Lance, and many family and friends who would welcome him with a Bacardi and Coke in a Stan’s cup.
While he often joked in saying “you’re gonna miss me when I’m gone,” it’s safe to say that there was always some truth behind this statement – he will indeed be missed.
A celebration of life concert on the beach will be held at 4:30pm on Sunday, January 19, 2020 at the JW Marriott Marco Island Beach Resort, 400 S. Collier Blvd.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the family’s GoFundMe page at gofundme.com/our-american-hero.
COMPARTA UN OBITUARIO
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