Brien Hussey, 89

Brien Keith Hussey, 89, of Coeur d’Alene, passed away June 3, 2010, at his residence at Luther Park in Sandpoint. He was born May 1, 1921, in Seattle, Wash., to Fred B. and Esther (Dougherty) Hussey. He was the second of six siblings. He attended public schools in Seattle and graduated from Ballard High School in 1939.

After several jobs, one in a grocery store, pulling targets for the National Guard, a personal chauffeur, a valet at the Olympic Hotel, and a stock boy for the Bon Marche, he then became a ship-fitter in 1940 and helped build more than 100 ships for the war effort. In 1943 he quit the shipyard and joined the Army Air Corps. He participated in the U.S. Army Air Corps Cadet program at Kansas State University. After pilot training he went to radio and gunnery schools and was assigned to the 6th Air Corps where he was in air/sea rescue in Panama. He served four years in the Army Air Corps. 

After the war he met and married Hilfred Anderson on April 30, 1948. In 1953 they moved with their two young sons to the Coeur d’Alene area.

His hobby was woodworking and he repaired furniture for more than 30 years. He gave his work away freely to friends and donated many hand crafted items to the annual church bazaar. He spent 36 years in plywood and veneer manufacturing plants with 30 years at Idaho Veneer Co. in Post Falls, retiring in 1983. Brien was a member of the American Legion Post No. 14 in Coeur d’Alene. He sang for many years in the choir of Trinity Lutheran church.

He moved to Sandpoint earlier this year to be closer to his son, David. He made many new friends including 18 preschoolers to whom he doled out Popsicles to celebrate the end of the school year.

Survivors include sons and daughters-in-law, David (Marilyn) Hussey of Sandpoint and Raymond (Mary) Hussey of Boise; grandsons, Shaun and David Hussey of Boise; a brother, Jim Hussey of Seattle; and a sister, Winifred Bretson of Bremerton, Wash. He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Hilfred, in 2007; brothers, Ken and Robert and a sister, Betty.

Brien played many roles in his life. He was a husband, father, grandfather, mentor and friend. He enjoyed working on many wood-working projects which he donated to his church and spending time with family and friends and going fishing. He loved children of all ages and they loved him. Throughout his life he met challenges head on and was relentless in his pursuit of the final outcome whatever that was. He told wonderful stories and especially liked to retell the funnier events which he experienced during WWII. Brien will be truly missed and fondly remembered by all who knew him.

The memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, June 18, 2010, at Trinity Lutheran Church with Yates Funeral Home, Coeur d’Alene, in care of the arrangements. Burial will be at Coeur d’Alene Memorial Gardens.

Please visit Brien’s memorial and sign his online guest book at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.