Obituary for Dennis Michael Custage
Dennis Custage, 79, passed away on February 9, 2025 after a long illness. His wife and sons were lovingly by his side, with his daughter having just provided words of comfort by phone.
Dennis was born in New York in 1945 to David and Ethel Custage. After graduating from Calhoun High School in Merrick, Long Island, he went on to study at the prestigious Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. While at Penn, Dennis served on the crew team and enjoyed building relationships with his Sigma Alpha Mu fraternity brothers that would last a lifetime. His youngest son, Andrew, would follow in his footsteps at the same university and fraternity over 40 years later, even living in the same house.
After graduating Wharton, Dennis joined the United States Peace Corps and accepted missions in Central and South America. He immersed himself in local culture and learned Spanish and Portuguese, which helped him set the foundation for a future in international business. He eventually became Deputy Director – and in fact, the main operations officer, of the Peace Corps in Guatemala during that window. He also served in Venezuela. Francis Asturias was his Peace Corps executive officer. A friend of ours notified Jo Froman and Tony Jackson, who were also friends of my dad.
Following the Peace Corps, he began an impressive corporate career lasting over 25 years and spanning several continents. He ultimately worked his way to senior executive levels for companies such as Xerox, Nortel, Ryder System, and National & Alamo Car Rental. In the latter part of his career, he took on several entrepreneurial projects including one with his oldest son, Matthew, as well as getting back to his roots in the Factoring (finance) business – a venture he had briefly pursued with his own father decades earlier.
He devoted much of his time to community efforts and mentoring aspiring entrepreneurs. In his spare time, he enjoyed working out, playing golf, and sailing. Those closest to him will remember his love of connecting people, his magnetic personality, and his commitment to his Jewish faith.
He loved his family deeply and leaves behind his wife Margaret (Peggy), daughter Raquel, sons Matthew and Andrew, and grandchildren Sophia and Cameron. He is predeceased by his sister, Barbara. Dennis will be missed by a vast circle of family, friends, and colleagues.
Those wishing to honor Dennis with a memorial contribution are kindly encouraged to consider a donation to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital at:
https://www.stjude.org/
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