Ed Shusterich was born to Slovenian immigrants in Brooklyn but moved to Middle Village more than half a century ago. He served in the army for two years during the Korean War before working in the private sector. Shusterich was the founder and president of Pullis Farm Cemetery Historical Landmark, a nonprofit organization that handles the upkeep of the Pullis Cemetery in Juniper Valley Park. He founded the association in 1993 to transform the once decrepit site into a beautiful garden, firmly believing “we could do better than what we have.” Over the years, he planted trees and other foliage on the barren wasteland and even built a utility house. He believed that as part of the culture and heritage of the community, it was the community’s civic duty to improve.