William Gusko (Poppy) was born on March 8, 1926, and passed away April 21, 2017. Left to cherish his memory are his son Alex and wife, Jill, daughter-in-law Sherri Gusko, grandson Michael Gusko and wife, Jessica, and granddaughters Chelsea, Kaitlyn, and Beth Gusko and fiancé, Stacey Freeman. He is also survived by his great-granddaughters, Hannah and Emma Gusko. Also surviving Poppy are a host of nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his loving wife Ouida Jackson Gusko, eight brothers and sisters, son, John Wesley Gusko, and his parents.
Poppy was born and raised in Bayonne, New Jersey, the son of Russian immigrants. He served in the Army during World War II, as a combat engineer. After the war, he moved to Shreveport, where he met his wife, Ouida. They were married May 31, 1954. Poppy served as a Shreveport Police Officer from 1954 to 1974, and was active in the E.G. Huckaby Lodge of the Fraternal Order of Police. After retiring from the police force, he was an over-the-road truck driver until he retired. Poppy was also an accomplished marksman, and was on the city and state police pistol teams.
Poppy loved to tinker – he spent countless hours in his shop “fixing” things. He also loved to play golf. He, Wesley, and Michael spent many weekends at Huntington Golf Course. Poppy also enjoyed fishing. He spent countless hours with his grandchildren, and later his great-grandchildren, all of whom were the apples of his eye.
A service celebrating Poppy’s life will be held Monday, April 24, at 10:00 AM at Centuries Memorial Funeral Home, with interment to follow immediately afterwards. Visitation will be held Sunday, April 23, from 4 – 6 PM at Centuries Memorial Funeral Home. Pallbearers will be Alex Gusko, Michael Gusko, Stacey Freeman, Donald Simmons, Jimi Brocato, and Ronald McDonald. Honorary pallbearers are the members of the E.G. Huckaby Lodge of the Fraternal Order of Police, granddaughters and great-granddaughters, Beth, Chelsea, Kaitlyn, Hannah, and Emma.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the E.G. Huckaby Lodge of the Fraternal Order of Police, or the charity of the donor’s choice. The family wishes to thank the physicians of the Willis-Knighton Pierremont Emergency Department, Dr. Little, Dr. Jani, and the nurses of the Willis-Knighton Pierremont Stroke Unit for the loving care they gave Poppy these past few days. The family also wishes to extend special thanks to Esther Billiard and Stella Lively, for the love and care they gave Poppy after his wife’s passing up to his passing.
You may share words of comfort with the family by visiting www.centuriesmemorialfh.com
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