James Louis "Jim" Cusato, son of Louis Sullivan Cusato and Charlotte Sherman Uhl, was born August 29, 1931 in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. Jim attended school in Pittsfield and was a 1949 graduate of Pittsfield High School. Growing up Jim played the trumpet in the school band, beginning a lifelong love of music.

He went on to Union College in Schenectady, New York, majoring in Pre-Dental and graduating in 1953. After college, Jim took a year off and traveled around the United States. He talked about the adventures he had during this year for the rest of his life.

Jim attended dental school at the University of Pennsylvania, graduating in 1958. He opened his own dental practice in Arlington, MA in 1963.

Around 1960, Jim began what would be a 50-year career singing barbershop music with the Canton Massachusetts Chorus. Jim's love for barbershop music and desire to create things compelled him in the 1980s to help found the Spring, Texas Chapter of the SPEBSQSA which is now the Barbershop Harmony Society.

Jim met Sarah "Sally" Boyle in 1961 at a night class on child psychology, and they married in 1962. Jim and Sally were blessed with five children. In 1979 Jim and Sally moved the family to Texas, and Jim established his practice there. Before he retired Dr. Cusato was honored by the American and Texas Dental Associations for his 50-year anniversary of practicing dentistry.

After a period of illness Jim died at home surrounded by his family on April 5, 2017 in Spring, Texas. He was 85.

Jim is survived by his wife Sally of Spring, TX; son Louis Cusato and wife Shawn Alis of Dallas, TX; daughter Ellen Messer of Richardson; son Walter Cusato and wife Holly of Plano; daughter Holly Powers and husband Dennis of Niswa, Oman; son-in-law Greg Taggart of Dallas; grandchildren Katie, Jocelyn and Bre Taggart; Daniella, Rachael and William Messer; Kelly, Aidan, Trevor, Cian and Ronan Powers; sister Jeanne Syvertsen and her husband Bob of Malibu, CA; devoted cousins, nieces, nephews, friends, and his beloved dog Molly. He is preceded in death by his parents and his daughter Suzanne Cusato Taggart.

A celebration of Jim's life will be held at 2:00 PM on Sunday April 9 at Klein Funeral Home 16131 Champion Forest Drive Spring, TX 77379.