John Florian Gussio Jr.

John was born on October 13th, 1940, in Jackson, Mississippi, to John Florian Gussio and Mary Tohill Gussio. John graduated from Saint Joseph Catholic High School in Jackson, Ms. He attended Mississippi State University, where he earned a degree in Civil Engineering. He was a member of the United States Air National Guard. After graduation, he accepted employment with the US Army Corps of Engineers at the Waterways Experiment Station in Vicksburg Ms. John worked as an engineer in the Nuclear Weapons Effects Division. While at Waterways, he studied at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), in Cambridge, Massachusetts; the University of California Research University in Los Angeles, California; and worked on assignment in Canada on the Nuclear Weapons Test Ban Treaty.

In 1968, John resigned from Waterways to pursue his passion in business and a private career in real estate. Several companies he founded include John Gussio Realty, John Gussio Builders, Emerald Investments, and Emerald Waters. Over the next 50 years, John developed, owned and operated residential homes, apartment complexes and commercial buildings throughout Mississippi. During his career in real estate, John was an active member of the Board of Realtors and Home Builders Associations of Vicksburg and Jackson.; he served as a Board member of the First National Bank of Vicksburg; and participated on multiple community boards and Organizations.

John was a devout Catholic. He attended mass every Sunday whether at home or traveling the world, he never missed a mass. He was a member of St Paul’s Catholic Church of Vicksburg and served as an usher for many years. At his death, he was a member of St. Paul’s Catholic Church of Flowood.

After his faith, John loved his family above all else, and really enjoyed his life. He had a love for cars, especially corvettes in his younger years. He enjoyed traveling, boating, the Destin beaches, water skiing, good music, a “cold beverage” with friends, and Mississippi State University sports.

John is survived by his beloved wife Susan Palermo Gussio of Ridgeland, son, John Florian Gussio III (Kristy), of Dallas, Texas, son, Gregory Joseph Gussio, of Ridgeland, beloved grandchildren Sienna and Grant Gussio, of Dallas, TX and Mary Lucille (Lulu), Betty James and Camp Gussio of Ridgeland, and his special little loves Collins, Gray, and Sara Beth Shelton of Clinton. He was preceded in death by his parents John and Mary Gussio.

Funeral services will be held on Friday November 12, 2021 at St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Flowood. Visitation is from 9:00 – 10:00 with funeral mass at 10:00 and private burial at Lakewood Memorial Cemetery in Jackson. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Vicksburg Animal Shelter 100 Old Mill Road, Vicksburg 39180; Stewpot Community Services 1100 W Capitol St, Jackson 39203; or St. Paul’s Catholic Church 5971 MS-25, Flowood 39232.