Brian L. Gustaitis

Businessman & Accomplished Musician

Brian L. Gustaitis, 62, of Oxford, died on July 11 at his home, with his family by his side, after a courageous battle against multiple myeloma. He was the son of the late Catherine and George Gustaitis of Monroe.

He is survived by his wife Patricia Gustaitis, two sons and daughters-in-law, Jeffrey and Jessica Gustaitis of Newtown and Jonathan and Irene Gustaitis of Los Angeles, and grandchildren Sebastian and Jack. In addition, he is survived by his sister Judith Sheehan and family of Otis, Mass., and his brother G. Ronald Gustaitis and family of The Villages, Fla.

Early in his life, Mr Gustaitis was a drill sergeant in the Army Reserve.

Mr Gustaitis received his master’s in business, and began his career in the food industry at The Campbell Soup Company and Nestle. He then moved on to become vice president at Pepperidge Farm, president of Tetley Tea USA, and president of Kozy Shack Pudding. Most recently in his career he formed his own management consulting business, working with companies such as Hill & Valley and Circle Peak Capital Investments.

He was an avid golfer, sports fan, and an accomplished musician, playing the saxophone all his life. Brian also enjoyed fishing, boating, and jet skiing on Lake Zoar and walking the beach in Fort Pierce, Fla.

Friends were received at Spadaccino & Gallagher Funeral in Monroe on Wednesday, July 14. A funeral service was scheduled for Thursday, July 15, at St Thomas The Apostle in Oxford.

His family would like to thank the doctors and staff at Smilow Cancer Hospital at Yale-New Haven Hospital. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Brian’s honor to The Smilow Cancer Center c/o Yale-New Haven Hospital Office of Development, PO Box 1849, New Haven CT 06508.

The Newtown Bee        July 16, 2010