Peter ""Pete"" Fusi

Peter "Pete" Fusi, 56, of Commerce, passed away peacefully with his wife by his side early Saturday, July 30, 2011, after a brief illness. Pete was born on May 16, 1955 in Oklahoma City, Okla. to Siro and Mary Fusi. Pete grew up in Atlanta and attended Lakeside High School in DeKalb County where he excelled in basketball and graduated in 1973. He was awarded a basketball scholarship from the University of Georgia and was a proud member of the UGA basketball team for four years, playing for Coach John Guthrie, and graduated in 1977.
Pete is survived by his parents, Siro and Mary Fusi, of St. Augustine, Fla.; wife, Gail Payne Fusi, of Commerce; children, Robert Fusi, of Decatur, and Carrie F. Thompson and husband, Chris Thompson, of Boston, Mass.; and their mother, Deborah Sykes Fusi, of Suwanee; brother, Stephen Fusi and wife, Michele Fusi, of Snellville; sister, Carol F. Brown and husband, Jim Brown, of Marietta; stepchildren, Chris Payne, of Anderson, S.C., Brandy Smith and husband, Justin Smith, of Canton, Brandon Payne and wife, Kesha Payne, of Atlanta. Pete is also survived by several grandsons, nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, a host of friends and his beloved dogs, Hairy and Joey.
A memorial service for Pete will be held on Tuesday, August 2, 2011, at Lord & Stephens - West Chapel, 1211 Jimmy Daniel Road in Bogart. The service will begin at 2 p.m. with the family receiving friends beforehand from 1-2 p.m.
In lieu of flowers and in appreciation of the excellent care Pete received, donations may be made to St. Mary's Hospice House, 1660 Jennings Mill Road, Bogart, Georgia 30622.