He was born Aug. 11, 1919, in Cuyahoga County, Cleveland, Ohio to William and Mary (Pers) Kasuga. He married Rita A. Miller in Reed Assumption Catholic Church in Attica, Ohio Nov. 26, 1942. He enjoyed 70 years of marriage until her recent death, June 14, 2013.
Survivors include a son, William Jude (Mary Jane) Kasuga of Defiance; and two grandchildren, B.J. (Lindsay) Kasuga, of Aurora, Colo.; and Michelle (Luke) Volker, of Denver, Colo.; and a brother, Alex Kasuga of Bellevue, Ohio.
Besides his beloved wife, he was also preceded in death by a daughter, Nadya Brock; a brother, Albert Kasuga and sisters-in-law, Ann (Johnovitch) Kasuga of Connecticut, and Rose (Artino) Kasuga, of Bellevue.
Walter was a graduate of Bellevue High School and Cleveland Barber College. He also attended art classes and agricultural classes at Ohio State University, Columbus. He was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church, serving as a Mass coordinator, Tiffin Right to Life, Catholics United for the Faith, Tiffin Knights of Columbus, the Elk's in Port Clinton, and the Tiffin Civil Air Patrol. He was the organist at the Sorrowful Mother Shrine in Bellevue for many years.
He excelled in many varied occupations. He was an Ecclesiastical artist, a waiter and chef at Clark's Restaurant in Cleveland and the Grant Hotel in San Diego, Calif.; a railroad conductor, foundry worker, farmer, a barber in Tiffin, North Eaton, Elyria, and Catawba Island; an owner of a Men's clothing store and a beauty salon in Findlay, Ohio.
His hobbies were as varied as his occupations, which included playing euchre with family and friends, reading, playing music (organ, violin, saxophone and drums), participating in golf, pool, and bowling leagues, being involved as a thespian in community theatre while working in Findlay; but his greatest love was working on airplanes, as well as flying them. Sharing his love of flying with others and seeing the smiles on their faces gave him great delight.
Visitation with family and friends will be 9:30 - 11:00 a.m. Thursday, October 10, 2013 at St. Mary Catholic Church, Tiffin. The Rosary will be recited 20 minutes prior to the Mass which will follow at 11:00 am at the church, officiated by Rev. Gary Walters. Burial will take place immediately following in St. Mary Catholic Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Mary Catholic Church, Tiffin or for Masses at the Sorrowful Mother Shrine in Bellevue.