(Roslyn Heights, NY -- February 28, 2003) --  Charles S. Cusumano, Sr., who founded Citiplate, Inc. in 1953, passed away last week at Calvary Hospital in New York, after a brave and courageous twenty-five month battle with cancer. Born in New York City in 1935, Mr. Cusumano was just 17 when he established his business, serving the offset plate manufacturing needs of New York's bustling printing community in the heyday of print. The company, while still headquartered in New York today, eventually moved its manufacturing and R&D facilities to Jackson, Tennessee, where it has enjoyed steady success as one of a handful of U.S. owned-and-operated offset plate manufacturers serving the CTP (computer-to-plate) and conventional film based printing and publishing marketplace in both the US and abroad. Mr. Cusumano, Sr. is survived by his son and co-owner of Citiplate, Charles S. Cusumano, Jr., 39, who will continue in his present capacity as president of the privately held firm. In addition, Charles Sr. is survived by his older brother, Joseph Cusumano, Sr., also a former Chairman and co-owner of Citiplate, as well as his sister, Josephine DeCaro. Noting the achievements of his father over his lengthy career at Citiplate, Mr. Cusumano, Jr. said: "Charles, Sr. spent his entire adult lifetime building Citiplate -- which will turn 50 this year.  For over 48 years, he dedicated his heart and soul to designing, improving and perfecting most every aspect of Citiplate's organization, factory and offset plate products. Of no less importance, Charles Sr. built a company that forged strong business relationships and enduring friendships with many valued customers, vendors, industry associations, and even competitors, worldwide. All Citiplate employees and I will always be deeply appreciative of and grateful for not only everything that he accomplished during his career, but also for all that he taught us along the way. He was a true American success story who will be sorely missed as a father, a friend, and as a pioneer in the graphic arts industry. A private memorial service took place on February 27 in New York City. The Cusumano family had requested that, in lieu of flowers, memorial donations be made in Charles S. Cusumano, Sr.'s name to support the vital research of the American Cancer Society. Those wishing to contribute can do so easily, online, at www.cancer.org, or by phoning 1-800-ACS-2345 (1-800-227-2345). Donors are requested to indicate that the contribution is being made in memory of Charles S. Cusumano, Sr.