Rose (Cusma) Strasser

Rose Strasser (Cusma), age 86 of North Canton, passed away on Friday, September 4, 2020. She was born in Canton to the late Giuseppe and Rosa (Fontana) Cusma on November 17, 1933. Rose graduated from Canton South High School in 1951. Rose had a long work history. Most recently, Rose retired from Macy's in 2013, after 25 years as a sales associate/manager in the fine jewelry department. During this same time period, she and her husband, Bill, owned and operated Tropical Sno (Meyers Lake Plaza) for five years. While raising her children, Rose worked as a seamstress for many years at American Foliage Company. She began her work history at Hercules Engines as a comptometer operator, Fulton Drugs as a “soda jerk”, and helping out with the family’s greenhouse business, Joe’s Greenhouse. Rose was passionate about baking, in which she was known for her delectable cookies and pastries. Also, she loved cooking, especially at holidays, whereby she filled the table with specialty dishes for all to enjoy. Most of all, she cherished her time with her family and friends.

Along with her parents, Rose was preceded in death by her husband, William E. Strasser, and sister and brother-in-law, Josephine and Joseph Vaneria. She is survived by her four children: Craig (Tesa) Strasser of East Canton, Renee Strasser of North Canton, Diane (Steve) Tornero of Canton, and Lisa (Denver) Bortz of Green. Also, Rose is survived by her sister, Mary (Richard) Pindel; eight grandchildren: Matthew Skipper, Linnea (Skipper) Cook, Valerie (Strasser) Leskosky, John Strasser, Stephen Tornero, Christopher Tornero, Michael Bortz, and Amanda (Bortz) Jamil; nine great-grandchildren; and many beloved nieces and nephews. Her family would like to extend a special thank you to Rose’s pastor and friend, Fr. Tom Bishop, her long-time doctor, Dr. Louis Shaheen, and her grandson and “personal doctor”, Dr. Michael Bortz. The family would also like to recognize Rose’s devoted daughter, Renee, who made it possible for Rose to live at home until her passing. A private Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, Sept 12th, at 10 a.m. at St. Paul Catholic Church. Music will begin at 9:30 a.m.. Interment will follow the Mass at Calvary Cemetery. In the course of everyday life, Rose had a heart for people who just needed a helping hand to get over a rough patch or a bump in the road. In that spirit, we kindly request, in lieu of flowers, to please reach out to someone who also needs the same. Your acts of kindness, in Rose’s memory, will go on for all eternity and truly make this world a better place.

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