Kent Fusselman

Cortland - Kent Fusselman passed away peacefully at home with his loving wife, Gerry, by his side on Saturday March 15, 2025.

Kent was born on July 15, 1941 to the late Donald and Helen Fusselman. He began his competitive career early in his life; first as a young student at East Junior High School and as a Boy Scout with the Warren Optimus Club, where he entered a kite making competition. Then, as a 1st place contestant for National Children's Dental Health Day, 1951. Kent then moved on to archery competitions, achieving Pro Marksmanship in 1955.

Kent was a 1959 graduate of Warren G. Harding High School, where he was a wrestler and cross-country runner. He furthered his education at Bowling Green University. After college, in 1968, he was hired as a Warren City Fireman, where he took up the game of Handball. His fellow firemen taught him the game and eventually Kent represented the fire department in handball tournaments in New York and Chicago. His achievements included: winning the Mideast Regionals, winning in the 1972 National Handball Doubles, winning in the 1986 National Handball Singles in Houston, TX, being inducted into the State of Ohio Handball Hall of Fame in 1991 and finally, being inducted into the Warren Sports Hall of Fame in June of 1995.

In addition to all these accomplishments, he was an avid golfer and was a part of the 1995 Firefighters US/Canada Golf tournament in Miami, FL and the 1994 Firefighters’ Combat Challenge, placing first in the over 50 group. Kent was proud to have served as fireman in Warren for 27 years, capping off his time as Fire Chief from 1992 to 1996.

Kent will always be remembered by his wife of 38 years, Geraldine “Gerry” Fusselman; daughters, Merrit (Ken) Sinha, Tracy Fusselman and Heather (Tom) Gania; 12 grandchildren; 11 great grandchildren; sister, Sandra Roush and canine companion, Koda.

Family and friends may pay tribute to Kent from 1 pm to 3 pm on Saturday, March 22, 2025 at the North Mar Christian Missionary Church, 3855 E. Market St., Warren, Ohio 44484.

A Funeral Service will follow at the church at 3pm.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Kent’s name to Franklin Graham Samaritans Purse, P.O. Box 3000, Boone, NC 28607-3000 or Tunnel to Towers, P.O. Box 70719, Philadelphia, PA. 19176-0719 or the Parkinson's Foundation, P.O. Box 6003, Albert Lea, MN. 56007-9902 or to the US Handball Association (USHA), 2333 N. Tucson Blvd. Tucson, AZ 85716.

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