Jacqueline J. Fusek

Jacqueline J. (Witulski) Fusek was born in Jersey City, New Jersey on August 9, 1935. Early in her life her talents and abilities brought her recognition as both a student and musician; permitting her the opportunity to perform with the New Jersey All-State Orchestra for two consecutive years, becoming a member of The National Honor Society, being Art Editor of her high school yearbook, and being selected as the sole female recipient of The American Legion Award for leadership in her high school graduating class. Upon completing her B.A. in Elementary and Secondary Education from Montclair University in 1958, she joined her family who had relocated to Danbury, CT, and immediately became involved as a violinist in the Danbury Symphony Orchestra, performing with them until 2008.

In 1962, she became Danbury’s first Miss Danbury, earning the talent award in the Miss Connecticut Pageant, as well as earning a place as a runner-up in that pageant. Also at that time, she was pursuing graduate studies at Fairfield University where she earned her master’s degree in counseling and her Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study in school psychology. She applied her education first as a classroom teacher in Bethel, CT, then as an elementary consultant in six of Danbury’s public schools, and then as a counselor-school psychologist in Ridgefield and Westport.

Although she went on to become certified as a school administrator through studies at UCONN, she so loved her work with children, families and staff that she chose to devote her forty-one years in public education to the roles of teacher and counselor-school psychologist. In 1980, she established the Center for Human Development in Danbury, providing private services to families and children.

Jacqueline was cited in Who’s Who in the East and Who’s Who of American Women as a result of the leadership she provided to her profession. She served on a national committee with presidents of the American Counseling Association developing the concept of continuing education as a means for elevating standards within her profession. Regionally, she served as president of the American Personnel and Guidance Association. In this capacity, she organized leadership within the New England states in the development of a regional conference. Following her presidency with the Connecticut School Counselor Association, she co-authored Connecticut’s first legislative bill seeking licensure for professional counselors, living long enough to see her efforts become a reality.

Although she authored many articles in her professional field, it was her research on the issue of grade retention of youngsters that earned her the research and wiring award of the Connecticut School Counselor Association in 1992.

Jacqueline was a member of the Lions Club of Danbury (since 1992) serving as a chairperson of the scholarship committee, a chairperson of Lions Day at the United Nations, and a broadcaster for CRIS radio. Her other community associations included a seat on the Board of Directors of DATAHR (1965), a member of the Danbury Jr. Service Leagues (1995), and a Director on the Board of the Danbury Music Centre (1980).

In her senior years, Jacqueline performed as a violinist with the National Senior Symphony Orchestra serving as President of the Board of Directors for five years. The National Senior Symphony was the concert of conductor and composer, Victor Norman of New London, with whom she worked in bringing together talented senior musicians for an annual performance in Connecticut. It brought her great pride in knowing that she performed with personalities such as the trumpet player who played Taps at JFK’s funeral, a cellist who accompanied Frank Sinatra, a violinist with the National Symphony Orchestra, and several orchestral conductors.

At the time of her death, Jacqueline and her husband, Emil J. Fusek, resided in Redding. An active member of St. Patrick Church, she served as a lector at Sunday masses and co-chairperson of the communications committee.

Jacqueline and Emil – who was the principal of Bethel Middle School – devoted their lives in service to the families of the community. They were rewarded with the joy of seeing their students become leaders within the fields of education, religious life, music and the professional world.

In addition to her devoted husband of 55 years, Jacqueline is survived by her loving sister, Eleanor B. Gradoia, her six nephews: Jeffrey, Gregory and Stephen Case, and Mark, Michael and Eric Gradoia and their spouses and children. In death, Jacqueline joins her younger sister, Adrienne Case, and her parents Mary and Alexander Witulski.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on March 3, 2026, from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm at St. Patrick's Church, located at 169 Black Rock Tpke, Redding, CT, 06896.

Donations in memory of Jacqueline J. Fusek may be made to The Danbury Music Centre, 256 Main St., Danbury, CT 06810.

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