Albert Nicholas Kushmeider

Albert Nicholas Kushmeider of Wilmington, DE and formerly Fort Washington, MD, passed away on February 19, 2021. Albert was born in Freeland, PA in 1921, and recently celebrated his 100^th birthday.   He graduated from Freeland High School in 1938.

Mr. Kushmeider was a Purple Heart veteran of WWII, having served as a sergeant with the Army Air Force stationed in Foggia, Italy. He was a member of the 727^th bomb squadron of the 15^th Air Force, and served as a nose gunner on the B-24 “Shady Lady.” He was awarded the Air Medal for “meritorious achievement in aerial flight.”

He was an avid fisherman and loved crabbing, baseball and card playing. He was a fierce competitor at bridge and pinochle, and was an active member of the Sellers and Fraim senior centers in Wilmington where he played often.

Mr. Kushmeider was predeceased by his wife of 52 years, Elizabeth, as well as his sisters, Catherine Banyas, Nellie Kondrack, Helen Marchetti, Elizabeth Kostick, and his brothers Joseph and Thomas.

He is survived by his children, Rose Marie Kushmeider, Peter Kushmeider (Richard Crosetti), and Susan Burton (James); his granddaughters Beth and Sarah Burton; his siblings, Paul Kushmeider (Ashburn, VA) and Alice Zurko (Freeland, PA); as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Interment will be held at St. Joseph on the Brandywine Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, it is requested that donations be made in his name to Fraim Center for Active Adults (Wilmington, DE), Sellers Senior Center (Wilmington, DE), or a veterans’ charity.