James Cushing Obituary

Cushing, James E.
age 90, of Grantham, NH and Phoenix, AZ, passed away peacefully on June 17, 2011, following a long illness. James was a native of Schenectady, NY and predeceased by his parents James Cushing Sr. and Mary Beatrice (Sweeny) Cushing and sister, Mary Elizabeth (Cushing) Terry. He attended Albany Academy for Boys and Avon Old School for his secondary education and later graduated from Nicholas College in 1942. Mr. Cushing received an honorary degree from Siena College. He served in the United States Army as a bridge engineer during WWII. James was president and CEO of the Cushing Stone Company in Schenectady and a co-owner of Cady Company in Amsterdam, NY. He served on the boards of Sunnyview Rehabilitation Center and St Clare's Hospital in Schenectady. James was a member of the board of trustees of Siena College and in 2008 was named trustee emeritus of the college. He was on the board of the Williamstown Theater and received a Tony Award as a producer of the play Side Man in 1999. He was a benefactor of the Arts, Education and Medicine including Cushing Center at St. Claire's Hospital, Cushing Village at Siena College, Cushing Library in Schoharie, NY, Williamstown Theatre Festival, and Guardian in the Circle of Distinction at Scottsdale Healthcare Foundation. James was married to actress, Maureen O'Sullivan in 1983 until she passed away in 1998. On the Cushing side he is survived by Cynthia Terry and her husband, Claude Amerson, Willard and his wife, Holly Terry, and James Terry and his cousin, Peter Cushing. On the O'Sullivan side he is survived by Mia Farrow, Susan Farrow (wife of the late Patrick Farrow), John Farrow, Prudence Farrow Bruns, Stephanie Farrow Soghoian, and Theresa (Tisa) Farrow. He leaves behind numerous cherished grand and great grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the James E. and Maureen O'Sullivan Cushing Scholarship at Siena College in Loudonville, New York. Services were held at Siena College, St Mary of the Angels Chapel, on June 27, 2011 at 11:00. Messinger Indian School Mortuary assisted the family locally.