Sept. 14, 1917 - Feb. 7, 2013
GOSHEN - Edward James Hussey, 95, passed away Thursday, Feb. 7, 2013, from complications of Parkinson's disease.
Mr. Hussey was born Sept. 14, 1917, in Detroit, to Edward and Mary (Shea) Hussey.
Mr. Hussey graduated from Detroit Catholic Central High School in 1934 and the University of Detroit in 1942 with a degree in accounting. While attending night school at University of Detroit he worked at the family grocery store and for Ford Motor Company.
Mr. Hussey served in the U.S. Army (1942-1946) during World War II, achieved the rank of Major and was awarded the Bronze Star. He served in the Signal Corps. in the European Theater in England, France, Belgium and Germany. Later in life Mr. Hussey returned to Europe and took his family on a tour of many of the battlefields on which he served during the war.
He married Mariana Chase McCue Dec. 1, 1945, in Hudson, Mich. Ed and Mariana met on a blind date prior to Ed's graduation from college. Mariana was his cherished wife and life's companion for over 63 years.
After World War II, Mr. Hussey was a certified public accountant and a partner with Arthur Anderson in Detroit. Having been raised in Detroit, Mr. Hussey was a lifelong fan of the Tigers, Lions and especially the Detroit Red Wings. He loved ice skating during the winter and boating year round.
In 1960 Mr. Hussey purchased Liberty Homes, Inc., where he served as president and chairman of the board for more than 40 years. Mr. Hussey was a vocal advocate of the manufactured housing industry and fought long and hard to promote manufactured housing.
During his tenure at Liberty Homes, Mr. Hussey was twice elected chairman of the Manufactured Housing Institute, Washington D.C. and was a founding member of the Manufactured Housing Association for Regulatory Reform. Mr. Hussey was inducted into the Manufactured Home/Recreational Vehicle Hall of Fame in 1995.
Mr. Hussey was an active member of St. John the Evangelist Church in Goshen and a member of University of Notre Dame Mendoza College of Business Advisory Council for many years. In 1985 Mr. Hussey was awarded an honorary degree from St. Mary's College in recognition of his service on St. Mary's College Board of Trustees.
Mr. Hussey was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Mariana; both of his parents; a brother, Martin; three sisters, Marian Lutz, Virginia Schueren and Genevieve Hussey; and son-in-law Robert Key.
He is survived by nine children, Edward Joseph (Sue) Hussey of Valparaiso, Nancy (Thomas) Parrish of Elkhart, Mary (James) Noone of Rydal, Pa., Kathleen Amato of Chicago, Maureen Key of Lake Forest, Ill., Michael (Elna) Hussey of Goshen, Daniel (Kathy) Hussey of Burr Ridge, Ill., John (Terry) Hussey of Goshen and Mariana (Kevin) O'Rear of Granger; 40 grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren.
Ed Hussey was very proud of his large family and often vacationed with as many of his children and grandchildren as he could assemble. New Year's in south Florida was often a mini family reunion.
Though slowed in later years by Parkinson's disease, Ed Hussey fought the disease and remained active in the industry he loved.
Friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 15, 2013, at Yoder-Culp Funeral Home, 1911 S. Main St., Goshen. A rosary service will follow at 7 p.m. The funeral Mass will be recited at 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 16, 2013, at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, 417 S. Main St., Goshen. Burial will follow in Violett Cemetery, Goshen.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests a contribution to one of the following: "Eddie's Treatment Fund" (for Ed Hussey IV, who is being treated for leukemia), Wounded Warrior Project or Van Andel Institute for Parkinson's Research.