Joseph "Elwood" Cusic, Sr. 94 of Mechanicsville, MD passed away on January 28, 2012 at The Village of Taylor Farms in Bushwood, MD

He was preceded in death by his wife, Elvie Ann Wood Cusic; son, Joseph Elwood "Teenie" Cusic, Jr., sisters, Catherine Raley, Theresa Raley and Yvonne Wood; brother James Cusic and son-in-law, Cecil Kidd.

He is survived by his children; Robert Louis Cusic, Sr. (Betty Jean) of Mechanicsville, MD, William "Billy" Wendell Cusic (Joyce Ann) of Chaptico, MD, Sharon Ann Kidd of Big Island, VA and daughter-in-law Arlene Cusic of La Plata, MD, 11 grandchildren (3 deceased) and 12 great grandchildren; siblings, Edward "Junior" Cusic and Harry Cusic.

Elwood was a lifelong resident of St. Mary's County. He was born to John Quincy and Nora Catherine Bussler Cusic on December 31, 1917 in a one story log dwelling with a dirt floor on Morganza-Turner Road in Mechanicsville, MD. At the age of 9 the family moved to Dorsey Farm. In 1926 the family moved again to the "home place" that still stands on Route 6 across from Delabrooke Road.

On December 18, 1937 Elwood married Elvie Ann Wood and they made their first home on Cremona Farm. Later, moving a short distance down the road to Scrabbletown. Finally settling in their new home in 1959 where he remained until November, 2009.

Elwood raised his first crop of tobacco at the age of 15. He went to work for Louise Parlett as farm manager of Patuxent View Farm in Mechanicsville, MD. He continued to raise tobacco and Hereford cattle for the farm even after it was sold in 1990. Elwood retired in 1994 but he fenced in his yard and continued to raise cattle at his home until 2006. "I have something to get up for in the morning" he said, which is better than what he called the "boob tube".

Before raising Herefords, he raised Angus cattle, producing two championship animals at an international livestock show in Chicago in 1941 and 1942. In 1942 Elwood and his partners showed livestock at shows in 37 different states. Often traveling by box car to shows, he said "Nobody would believe that when Pearl Harbor happened, I didn't know for three days because I was on the rails with the cattle."

Elwood was one of the founding members of the St. Mary's County Fair Association in 1947. He served as Vice President from 1973 to 2002. "There were very few buildings at the fairgrounds then, and only half as many exhibitors", he said about the 1947 fair. Elwood saw the fair grow over the years; helping build many of the original buildings. He also oversaw the 4H livestock auction. "The sale was the highlight of my life" he once said.

He started the first 4-H Club in Mechanicsville and was inducted as a 4-H All Star and Friend of 4H. He served as board member for Southern States and was a member of the St. Mary's County Farm Bureau for 25 years. He also served on the Property Review Board for 14 years and was a member of the Antique Tractor Club.

While Elwood's hobbies were attending club dances, playing pitch with his special group of friends and talking on his cell phone, which he called his "walkabout phone" with friends Warren Bussler and June Quann, he will always be remembered for his knowledge and passion for farming, raising cattle and sharing agriculture traditions with the younger generation. "Everybody's working for the youth", he said. "There's no way of knowing how many hours I've put in. I've enjoyed every minute of it."

The family will receive friends on Wednesday, February 1, 2012 from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM in the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home with prayers recited at 7:00 PM. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Thursday, February 2, 2012 at 10:00 AM in St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Morganza, MD with Father Keith Woods officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery.

Pall bearers will be Kenny Wood, John Hall, Stump Spalding, Matthew Spalding, Cody Spalding and Dave Ramsey. Honorary Pallbearers will be Joe Cusic, Johnny Cusic, Robbie Cusic and Kyle Wood.

Contributions may be made in memory of Joseph "Elwood" Cusic, Sr. to the St. Mary's County Fair Association, St. Mary's County 4H Livestock Program and/or Hospice of St. Mary's P.O. Box 625 Leonardtown, MD 20650.

Arrangements provided by Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home.