GERALD "GERRY" KUESSNER
April 29, 1934 - June 11, 2022
Gerry Kuessner's Life Celebration - April 29, 1934 to June 11, 2022
Gerry loved life! He loved God and he loved his family. Gerry was born in Mackenrodt, Germany. His parents, Herta and Erich Kuessner, brought him to the USA on the Ship Europa on July 6, 1936. He became a U.S. citizen at the age of 18. He enjoyed a career as a designer at Fisher Body in Detroit. Gerry loved teaching the CAD system at Wayne State University in Detroit.
His children were his focus when he met Brenda and their first date was roller skating with his children; Mike Kuessner, Suzanne Moore Benloucif and Lynn Kuessner (hubby, Gordie Chetosky). He is proud of them being wonderful human beings and was happy to have 7 grandchildren: Amy, Amina, Kelsey, Warren, Lily, Rocky and Ashley, along with eight great grandchildren.
Singing has been his avocation. He was devoted to being the best tenor with the General Motors Chorus under the direction of Frank Murch in Detroit and the Oakland University Community Choir with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra and renowned conductors including Michael Tilson Thomas, Edo De Waart and Paul Salamunovich. He was an extra on stage with the Metropolitan Opera Company when they performed their summer tour in Detroit. He starred as the head spear carrier in Aida, a student Tales of Hoffman, ole in Carmen and a warrior in Turandot. In Kona he sang with the Kona Community Chorus (now the Kona choral Society); Gloryland Singers; Kona Festiv Chorale and choir at Lutheran Church of the Holy Trinity. His desire for music in his life was challenged by blindness by diabetic retinopathy that shortened his music abilities, but not his desire for music in his life. Several years ago the gift of an Echo Dot (Alexa) gave him a new lease on life. Alexa told him the time, answered his quesitons abut history, played endless music and told him jokes.
In 1980 he was offered a transfer to Russelsheim, Germany to work on desing projects with Opel. He and Brenda enjoyed six months living in Wiesbaden. They traveld all over his homeland as well as trips to Paris for News Year's Eve, Swithzerland, Austria, Italy and Tunisia. The concert tours with the Kona Community Chorus to China, Scandinavia, Russia, Australia and New Zealand were highlights of his life.
In 2018 when Dr. Hill told him you are not going to die of prostate cancer, he decided to live life to its fullest. His precious caregiver Laurie helped him enoy life its fullest.
The September vacation to the mainland was his most recent delight. Touring Michigan with cousins, visiting Nashville's Grand Ole Opry, then on a houseboat in Tennessee and Kentucky with friends, visiting his 92 year old sister, Agnes Kingsbury with hubby, Les, in Milwaukee, then granddaughter, Lily's wedding to Matthew in Chicago, then a stopover in California.
His joy-filled singing, wonderful smile, crazy jokes and love of life will always be remembered by his wife Brenda, his family and friends. We have celebrated 46 wonderufl years of married life. We love you dearest Gerry.
Donations can be made to Hospice of Kona or Kona Choral Society. Scattering of the ashes will happen in November 2022.
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