Mr Terrence Walter Kusnierz

Terrence “Terry” Walter Kusnierz, 75 of Elberta (formerly of Chicago and Brookfield, IL) passed away peacefully on January 17, 2023. Terry was preceded in death by his parents Walter and Evelyn Kusnierz, and his in-laws Doug and Juanita Smith. Terry spent a large part of his life on the basketball court. His early years were playing pick-up games on playground basketball courts with his lifelong best friends. He enlisted in the Air Force in 1966 where his official duty was a weapons mechanic assigned with the unenviable task of arming and disarming U.S. aircraft. His official duties were also complimented by his basketball skills as he was selected to the Japan Inter-Service Basketball league and earned a position on the Pacific Air Forces All-Star team travelling the world playing basketball. After serving in Vietnam, Terry returned home to Chicago, but was quickly recruited to Mississippi State University on a basketball scholarship. While at MSU, he was a two-time Academic All-Conference player. Terry boasted that his biggest accomplishment at MSU was meeting his beautiful wife, Cindy, who he was married to for 50 years. After graduating from MSU, Terry and Cindy moved to Chicago where Terry devoted his life to teaching and coaching basketball. In 2005, after 30 years, Terry retired from teaching. Terry and Cindy then moved to Elberta, AL. During retirement he enjoyed fishing, working in his yard and most of all doting on his granddaughters where he was often seen coaching them in basketball. Terry is survived and missed by his loving wife, Cindy (nee Smith) Kusnierz; his two children: Brian (Kathy) Kusnierz and Kelly (Brian) Sims along with his four grandchildren: Molly, Haley, Colin and Carter; his siblings the late Larry (Rose) Kusnierz, Mary Ann (Clinton Melius) Morgan, Wally (Joan) and Jeff (Dawn) Kusnierz, and a host of cousins, nieces and nephews. The family sends sincere appreciation for Terry’s countless neighbors and friends who have continued to visit, call, and pray for Terry and his family. A Memorial Visitation will be held on Friday, January 27, 10 a.m. until time of service, 11 a.m. with Military Honors at Pine Rest Funeral Home in Foley, AL. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund (3033 Wilson Blvd, Ste 300, Arlington, VA 22201) www.vvmf.org/give-to-vvmf/ or Alzheimer’s Association Alzheimer's Association | Donate to Fight Alzheimer's Disease (225 N. Michigan Ave. Floor 17, Chicago, IL 60601).http://www.alz.org/donate

Mr Terrence Walter Kusnierz

January 11, 1948 - January 17, 2023