Predeceasing Mr. Yesler are his grandchild Peter Kusic and his daughter Jane Kusic. Survivors include his son, Dr. Boyd Yesler, formally a dentist on Longboat Key with his longtime friend, Dr. Jennifer Jaworski; his son-in-law Dan Kusic of McLean, VA; a son, William Yesler of NZ; grandchildren, Julia and Sophie Yesler, and Jennifer Kusic-Carswell; great-grandchildren, Chloe, Luca, and McKenna Beatrice.
Mr. Yesler was born in Newark, NJ, on September 26, 1914, married Beatrice Feder in 1940 and remained so for 68 years, until her passing, in 2008. He attended West Virginia University and was a member of their basketball team, until 1934. Mr. Yesler became a decorated soldier in the US Army, during WWII, where he participated in the Battle of Luzon, the Philippines and later in Japan, until 1946.
Upon returning to N.J. after the war, Mr. Yesler founded several successful retail lumber / hardware centers and was a home builder. He was an active member of the Lions Club and a past master of the Masonic Lodge.
As a child, Mr. Yesler remembers attending a WWI victory parade, in 1918 and later, seeing Babe Ruth play right field against his former Boston team, at the newly built Yankee Stadium, in the summer of 1924.
The Yesler's retired to Naples, Florida in the late, 1960's, then to Bird Key. Mr. Yesler played softball for several Sarasota area teams, for 30 years until the age of 91. At the age of 81, in 1995, he won the Sarasota, Senior Olympic Gold Medal, 100 Meter Run.
He adored his family and was extremely proud of their achievements. His warm, magnetic personality that touched many hearts, shall be dearly missed.
Arrangements under the direction of Palms - Robarts Funeral Home & Memorial Park, Sarasota, FL.
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