Onofrio LaSusa was born in Casteldaccia, Sicily, Italy, on September 18th, 1949, to Pasquale LaSusa and Maria Chirico. He passed away as “Fred” LaSusa, of Mansfield, Ohio, on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, at OhioHealth Riverside Methodist Hospital in Columbus, surrounded by his mother, brothers, sister-in-law, children, and daughter-in-law. He was 75 years old.
Fred graduated from Saint Peter’s Catholic High School in 1967 and went on to attend The Ohio State University. He enjoyed a long and successful career in sales, holding various positions throughout his life before retiring from G&L Supply Co. He was proud to contribute to the family business, Papa’s Gondola Italian Restaurant. Fred was also honored to be a member of the local Masonic lodge as a 32-degree Mason. He loved hunting, fishing, eating Italian food, and studying history.
Fred started with music in Sicily at 3 years old and was known as a prodigy accordion player. He later transitioned to keyboards and eventually the Hammond organ. He appreciated and mastered a vast musical set of disciplines. He revered Jon Lord, Jimmy Smith and other Hammond greats. He played heavy metal from bands like Deep Purple, touched the blues, loved jazz, and played and wrote classical and world music with his brother, Tony. He loved informal jams with his brothers and many friends after he hung it up with several local bands, including the Ohio Express. He was known for his sharp wit and sense of humor.
He is survived by his son, Pat (Julie) LaSusa; daughter, Tiffany LaSusa; mother, Mary LaSusa; two grandchildren, Michael and Olivia LaSusa; two brothers, Tony LaSusa and Pat (Dawn) LaSusa; a sister-in-law, Michele Miller; many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.
Fred was preceded in death by his wife, June Miller LaSusa; father, Pasquale LaSusa; sister-in-law, Karen (J.N.) Feldman; and two brothers-in-law, Rick and Steve Miller.
A gathering of family and friends will be held on Friday, October 10, 2025, from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Wappner Funeral Directors and Crematory-Ontario, 100 S. Lexington-Springmill Road. A memorial service officiated by Pastor Chad Berry will follow at 6:00 p.m. A Memorial Mass will be held at St. Peter’s Catholic Church, 60 S. Mulberry St., Mansfield, on Saturday, October 11, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. followed by a burial at Mansfield Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
