AUBURN – Normand T. Cusson, 89, of Blackmer Street in Auburn, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021 with his wife and loving family by his side. He fought a valiant 34-year fight with cancer and three years with Parkinson’s disease.

He was born on August 5, 1932 to Rose and Aurelien Cusson in Lewiston. In 1950 he entered the United States Air Force, which he served in for eight years. He was proud to be a military veteran. While stationed in England, he met and married the love of his life, Pearl Isabel Elliott. Together they raised five children who they taught to have a strong work ethic and belief in the Lord Jesus Christ. He and Pearl attended First Assembly of God church in Lewiston for 35 years.

After his service career ended he worked at Belgrade Shoe as a hand sewer. He always dreamed of a better opportunity to work and provide for his family. In 1963 he started Bob’s Peanuts and Candy Company while still working at the shoe shop. He cooked peanuts in the basement of his home when he returned from his shift.

In May of 1968, they opened Lucky 7 Pizza on Main Street in Auburn. Pearl and the children worked in the business, while Normand serviced countless stores across central Maine with peanuts and candy. Bob’s Peanuts and Candy is still operated today by their daughter Kathy and two sons.

In 1972, with Pearl by his side, they started yet, another adventure. They invested in their first apartment building and operated it and five others for 44 years.

At the age of 55, Norm fulfilled one of his lifelong dreams of semi-retiring in Mesa, Ariz. He and Pearl traveled back and forth for 30 years enjoying part-time retired life. During their time in Arizona they made several trips to their daughter Sally’s home in California. Their daughter Kim and her husband Don spent many fun-filled times with them at their home in Mesa, Ariz..

Norm golfed and played senior softball until the age of 75. His love of sports was instilled in his children and grandchildren. He was a lifelong fan of the New York Yankees and the New York Rangers. His favorite football team was the Indianapolis Colts, formerly known as the Baltimore Colts. He and Pearl rarely missed any sporting events that their grandchildren participated in.

There were many fond memories made at the family camp on Tacoma Lake boating and swimming. In the summer months, while in Maine, Norm and his two sons enjoyed participating in many area antique car shows. This was a special bonding time for Johnny and Gary with their Dad.

Pearl and the family would like to express their heartfelt thanks to nurses Jerilyn, Randy, and the many CNAs that came to care for Normand from Androscoggin Home Healthcare and Hospice. We love and appreciate them all. A final thank you to the Auburn Rescue Team who came to Norm’s aid several times in his last few days.

He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Pearl Cusson, of Auburn; daughter, Kim Cote and her husband Don, son, Johnny Cusson and his wife Kim, daughter Sally Cusson, son Gary Cusson, daughter, Kathleen Gibson and her husband Darryl; his 11 grandchildren, Kara Cougle (Tim), Chandra Elliott, Arycca Cusson, Rose Maldonado (Jude), Olivia Rossignol (Logan), Victoria Cusson, David Cusson (Sierra), Amanda Gibson, Emily Gibson, Brady Cusson, Hunter Gibson; his seven great-grandchildren, Cameron Sturgis, Landon Cougle, Malakai Dawson, Iris Maldonado, twins Nova and Lyric, Kaisley Cusson. Normand is also survived by his only brother, Richard Cusson of Lewiston and his two sons Raymond and Roger; his brother-in-law, Freddy Elliott, sister-in-law Pam Fisher, sister-in-law Vivienne Quantrill, brother-in-law David Elliott and his wife Jenny; and many nieces and nephews of the UK.

Normand was predeceased by his mother and father.

Funeral services honoring Normand’s life will be celebrated on Saturday, Oct. 30 at 1 p.m. at the Pinette Dillingham and Lynch Funeral Home. Graveside committal services along with a military honors service will then follow at St. Peter’s Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Saturday, Oct. 30, from 10 a.m. till the time of the service at the Pinette Dillingham and Lynch Funeral Home, 305 Alfred A. Plourde Parkway in Lewiston 784-4023. Online condolences and sharing of memories may be expressed at http://www.lynchbrothers.com.

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