Lawrence F. Gusick

Lawrence F. Gusick, 90, of Bayonne, passed away suddenly on Monday, January, 23, 2017 at Bayonne Medical Center.  “Larry” as he was known by all, was born in Shamokin, Pennsylvania before residing in Bayonne at the age of three. Prior to his retirement in 1985, Larry was employed as a proposal coordinator for the Defense Industry with the Singer Kearfott Industries of Little Falls, NJ. Larry was an active member of the Holy Name Society, the St. Cecilia’s Choir, and the Mt. Carmel Seniors, all of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church.

An accomplished saxophone and clarinetist, Larry started playing music at an early age. As a young teenager in the 1930’s he formed a band and started performing at local dances and weddings in Bayonne. With the advent of WWII he was drafted into the Army and served in the Occupational Forces in Japan while at the same time playing saxophone in the 6^th Army Band. Lawrence was a Staff Sergeant in the U.S. Army from March 1945 through December 1946. After the war his local band reformed as the Ray Konopka Orchestra and started a forty plus year run playing for events in the New York area. Known for their renditions of polkas and popular tunes, the band was a staple in the New Jersey music scene, entertaining audiences at nearly 3,000 events before retiring in the late 1980’s. After a brief hiatus, Larry then joined the Bayonne Senior Orchestra and was a key member until he left in 2014 forming a new band called Mixed Nutz. Music was very much the love of his life and he was an outstanding musician. He played his last gig this past December at 90 years old. 

Larry was predeceased by his beloved wife Sophie (in 1999), his son Gary (in 2010) his son-in-law Kenneth Symanski, his grandson Andrew Symanski, and his parents, Florian and Anna (Borkowski) Gusick.  He leaves behind to cherish his loving and lasting memories, his daughter Maryann Symanski, his son David Gusick (Ellen); daughter-in-law, Patricia Gusick; grandchildren, Erica and Tommy Gusick, Tim and his wife Laura Gusick, Carolyn Gusick, Chris and his wife Amy Symanski, Matthew and his fiancé Nicole Mustaffa and Deanna Symanski; and three great-grandchildren, Hunter, Brantley, and Michael Symanski.

A visitation will be held at the Dworzanski & Son Funeral Home on Thursday, January 26, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. A 10:00 a.m. funeral mass in Larry’s honor will be offered on Friday, January 27, at St. John Paul II Parish at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church. Interment will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery, North Arlington, N.J.

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