In Memoriam: Joseph Kanusky (1941-2026)

Joseph Thomas Kanusky, age 84, passed away on February 7, 2026, from complications of pneumonia. He was born on July 6, 1941, to Anna Mae (Tomcics) Kanusky and Albert Stephen Kanusky of Allentown, Pennsylvania. Joe’s younger sister, Mary Ann, was born in 1943, and their younger brother, Thomas, was born in 1945. Catholic education was a key part of their family life.

Joe’s first job was helping at a tropical fish store, where he learned the art of raising fancy-tailed guppies. For a brief time as a young adult, he entered the seminary at St. Charles Borromea in Philadelphia. He switched to stenography, a skill he used for many years. He then attended nursing school in New York City where he met Carole, who later became his beloved wife. While in school, Joe acted in skits and was the class president of Mills School of Nursing.

After graduating from nursing school, Joe joined the U.S. Army, where he served his country for 28 years, moving from place to place every two to three years. His overseas assignments included Vietnam, Hawaii, and Germany. His first Army specialty was operating room nurse, followed by acceptance into the Army’s nurse anesthesia program at Walter Reed Hospital. His additional education was at the University of Maryland and the Louisiana State University at New Orleans where he earned a master’s degree in respiratory physiology under the mentorship of Professor Michael Levitzky. The Army enlisted Joe to teach in its nurse anesthesia program, in both didactic and clinical settings.

When Joe retired from the military, he continued teaching nurse anesthesia students at the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston. When Joe retired a second time, he volunteered at St. Laurence Catholic Church, teaching in the religious education program and serving as sacristan and Eucharistic minister.

Joe was proud to be an emeritus member of the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists, a life member of the Military Officers Association of America, and a life member of the Disabled American Veterans.

Joe started model railroading as a child, and in his retirement years, he took over the family living room with a large train diorama. Joe loved paintings and statues of eagles. Not only were eagles majestic, but they were a powerful symbol of the rank he was able to achieve in a female-dominated branch of the military. Joe was an amateur astronomer, teaching little kids to shoot for the moon. Even the family cat liked to join him at the telescope. He was an avid reader of mysteries, adventure, religion, politics, and history (particularly famous generals).

Joe was preceded in death by his brother (1945-1945); his father (1919-1994); his mother (1920-2000); his brother-in-law, William Costa Sr. (1917-2001); his sister-in-law, Helen (Wagner) Costa (1921-2005); his brother-in-law, Charles “Skeeter” Hauser (1939-2005); his nephew, William Costa Jr. (1950-2015); and his sister (1943-2020). Despite Joe’s sometimes poor health, he outlived many friends, including Father Drew, the long-time pastor at St. Lawrence, and Doug Bacon, the founder of the infamous lunch group.

Joe is survived by his wife of 61 years; daughter Rosemarie and her husband Joe; son Thomas and his wife Atsuko; daughter Dianna and her son, Maverick and his wife Malloy, and Dianna’s daughter Kellsey and Kellsey’s fiance, Hunter. Joe’s surviving niece is Gail; Carl, Charles Peter, Anthony, Robert, Edward, and Michael are Joe’s surviving nephews.

A visitation was held on February 23, 2026, from 4 to 8 p.m. at The Settegast-Kopf Company@Sugar Creek, in The Morrow Chapel, located at 15015 Southwest Freeway, Sugar Land, Texas 77478. A Rosary Service was held that evening at 7:15 p.m., and guests were invited to share memories of Joe at the conclusion of prayer.

The Funeral Mass took place at St. Laurence Catholic Church, 3100 Sweetwater Blvd., Sugar Land, Texas 77479, on February 24, 2026, from 10 to 11 a.m. Burial took place at the Houston National Cemetery, 10410 Veterans Memorial Dr., Houston, Texas 77305, and included military honors at the graveside.

This obituary was originally published on the Dignity Memorial website.