Randolph Maurits Gustafson

Randolph (Randy) Gustafson, 89 of New Ipswich, NH, passed away peacefully on February 19, 2025, after a brief illness.

Randy was born on August 24, 1935, in Worcester, MA, to Siri and Arvid Somero.

In high school he played basketball where he was given the nickname “Cousy” after the famous Boston Celtics player Bob Cousy. After graduating from Appleton Academy in 1953, he moved to MA, where his lifelong career in lumber retail sales and management began. During that time he married and had two boys.

Randy found his way back to New Ipswich during his retirement years in 2001 and married his sweetheart Gail Niskala. He was a member of the New Ipswich Congregational Church where he served a year as Trustee. In his retirement, Randy enjoyed volunteering his time delivering mail at MCH and providing transportation for people in the community. As an avid sports fan, he would attend high school basketball games and enjoyed watching New England and UConn sports at home. Randy and Gail spent 12 years as snowbirds in Florida. While there, they enjoyed multiple activities such as plays, viewed street paintings, Finnish festivals, sporting events, and countless hours spent with friends. Randy could brighten a room with his effortless, lighthearted, humor, and quick wit.

He was predeceased by his daughter-in-law, Ellen Gustafson. Randy leaves behind his loving wife Gail, his sister Rose Donoghue of MA, two sons Dean Gustafson (Deb) and Curt Gustafson (Susan) both of CT, his step-children Keith Niskala (Nurit), Shay Robinson, Debbie Wright (Brian). He will also be missed by his grandchildren: Matthew, Joshua, Nicholas, Elise, Rachel, Jennifer, Taylor, and Reid, and by his great-grandchildren: Bailee, Madison, Eli, Bryce, and Daxton, and by his beloved cat Brady.

Family and friends are warmly invited to a Memorial Service on Saturday, April 26, 2025, at 11:00am in the New Ipswich Congregational Church, 156 Main Street, New Ipswich, NH 03071.  

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made in Randy's name to the New Ipswich Congregational Church, 156 Main Street, New Ipswich, NH 03071.