Our People

Charles Allen Cusack, III Born in Daytona Beach, Florida, the only son of Brenda L. Badger Cusack and James E. Cusack. Charles Allen Cusack, III attended local schools and graduated with honors from DeLand High School. During his high school years, he served as a member of the Student Government Executive Board, two years consecutively as well as a class officer. He was Vice-President of Diversified Cooperative Training and was also active with the Yearbook Staff, Newspaper and Peer Counseling and a chorus musician, throughout school. In his sophomore year, he was chosen to represent the school at the Hugh O'Brian Youth Foundation's Leadership Conference, being cited for outstanding leadership as well as citizenship. Again, during his senior year, he represented the school as its honoree for the Florence Roan and Anthony Hooks Community Service/Academic Achievement Award given by the Westside Business and Professional Association. "Allen" served as the Charter President of the West Volusia Youth Council Branch of the NAACP, also during high school. After school, he worked at the funeral home, of which his father was the manager. He assisted with attendant duties, maintenance and clerical work. At six months of age, Allen was diagnosed with Sickle Cell Anemia Disease. Once he was old enough to understand his health issues he made it a turning point in his life. He was selected as Poster Child for the Volusia County Sickle Cell Foundation and later that same year name as State Poster Child, eventually representing the association on a National Speaking Circuit and being published at Duke University. His speech "I'm Not Contagious", that had made national coverage was published as an informative book, explaining to parents as well as patients who suffer from this life threatening disease.. Following high school, he furthered his education at Cambridge University, majoring in Business Management and Administration, where he earned his Bachelor of Arts Degree; he also studied at Saint Petersburg College of Funeral Service and later earned his degree in Funeral Services from the National Academy of Mortuary Science. He also holds a doctorate in ministry from the Graduate School of Theology at Minnesota. With a passion for music, he began teaching music at the African-American Museum of the Arts until being hired by Stetson University as the Director of its Gospel Choir. He has served as a musician in several churches throughout Volusia, Seminole and Duval Counties.  In 2002, he recorded an album, with the Youth Choir that he has directed for many years. The CD is entitled, "Greater Union Youth: Singing In Love & Unity". He also holds membership with the African-American Museum of the Arts, Life Member of the NAACP, Charter Member of the Springhill Kiwanis Club (Board of Directors), Sickle Cell Disease Association of America (Board Member) Progressive Pallbearers Lodge # 119 and a former YMCA Black Achiever. Professionally, he holds membership with the Fourth Regional District, Florida Morticians Association, where he is the Creating Editor of its Newsletter, "The Fourth District Digest"; Independent Funeral Directors of Florida, National Funeral Directors Association, National Funeral Directors & Morticians Association, Central Florida Musicians Guild and the Gospel Music Workshop of America. He is married to Karen (Humphrey) Cusack, formerly of Rochester, New York. They are the proud parents of Ayja, Taccara, Devin & Destiny. Back to the Staff Page

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