Joseph Andrew Cicala

Joseph A. Cicala (age 102) passed away after a brief illness on December 28, 2014. Son of Ellis Island immigrants Giacinto (George) & Anna Ciresi Cicala, Lt. Col. Cicala was a distinguished educator, soldier, diplomat and entrepreneur and proudly served his country over the course of four decades. Born October 31, 1912 in West Haven, CT, he received his BA (Cum Laude) from Catholic University in 1935 and MS in Public Administration from San Diego State University in 1961. He began his career as a teacher at West Haven High School prior to entering the U.S. Army during WWII, serving in both the Africa and Italy campaigns, followed by service in the Korean War, retiring with the rank of Lt. Col. in the Army Reserves. He was presented with the Grand Cross of the Order of the Crown of Italy, Croce di Cavaliere dell’Ordine della Corona d’Italia (knight), by King Umberto II of Italy at the Palazzo del Quirinale for his service to the Allied Commission Headquarters, Rome, Italy. While in Korea as an Intelligence Research Analyst with the 8th Army, Lt. Col. Cicala earned the Korean Service Medal and United Nations Service Medal. He was fluent in Spanish and Italian and after the war joined the US Foreign Service with assignments to Palermo, Italy, Tijuana, Matamoros, and Mexico City, Mexico, attaining the rank of US Consul and First Secretary of Embassy. Following his Foreign Service assignments, Lt. Col. Cicala established his family's permanent residence in Mclean, VA. After retirement from public service, he returned to teaching college courses in International Relations and Political Science in Northern Va, accepting additional assignments with various US Government agencies including Barbados and Uruguay as a retired FSO. He and his wife also enjoyed extensive private travel. After retiring, Lt. Col. Cicala and his wife became successful real estate entrepreneurs and contributors to a wide array of charitable, religious, and educational institutions. Lt. Col. Cicala was preceded in death by his five siblings, Agnes C. Augur, Russell, Anthony, Josephine E. Ludemann, and John. He was a devoted husband, a wonderful father and proud grandfather. He is survived by his beloved wife of nearly 72 years, Libby; son, Jac (Barbara); daughter, Susan Acker (Ron); and five grandchildren; Stephanie Cicala; Christina Acker; Jennifer Cicala; Marissa Acker West (Robert); and Kristen Cicala. Inurnment with full military honors will be conducted at Arlington National Cemetery Columbarium at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Wounded Warriors Project at http://www.support.woundedarriorproject.org. For online condolences please contact Murphy Funeral Home at http://www.murphyfuneralhomes.com