John F. Cuccia

John Francis Cuccia was born July 8, 1926 to Peter Cuccia and Francis (Kelly) Cuccia in Bronx, New York. Being a "city kid" during the late '20's, he was very much influenced by the baseball scene and became an ardent player & fan of the game.

John went on to a college education, the first in his family to do so but half way through his studies, World War II broke out and John joined the U.S. Navy to serve his country.

Though his ship never saw active duty that did not short change his heroism. When a fellow sailor's grip on a heavy port hole enclosure slipped sending the huge metal object crashing down on him, John jumped forward and single-handedly lifted the port whole door away from the helpless sailor thus saving the man's life. John suffered from lower back spasms for the rest of his adult life from this brave act.

At the end of the war, John returned to his studies and graduated from the New York School of Technology with his degree in Engineering. His first studies specific work was with United technologies/ Norden Division at that time located in White Plains, N.Y. It was here that he met his future wife, Arlene Drury.

John & Arlene were married September 13, 1952 at St. John's Church in White Plains, N.Y. John continued his work with United Technologies and his satellite radar designs were among those which were used on the first moon landing. John was very active in his parish as well. He was an usher and lector at the Sunday 8:00 AM Mass at St. Bernard's Church for years, was a member of the Holy Name Society as well as a volunteer for the many church activities.

Over the years, John & Arlene raised seven children, no small feat in itself. After 40 years with United Technologies, Norden Div. John retired and he and Arlene moved to their beloved Cape Cod. They had a beautiful house built in North Eastham, with "enough room to house all the kids, when they came to visit"! During retirement John and Arlene traveled to their ancestral homelands of Ireland and Sicily and to many European locations and visited often with their 3 children in Honolulu.

John is survived by his seven children and six grandchildren. His funeral mass will be held on Saturday, February 15, 2014 at 10:00 a.m. in Our Lady of Lourdes, Route 6 ,Wellfleet. The family asks that in lieu of any flowers that donations be made to the McCarthy Care Center, Sandwich, MA. For online condolences, please call www.nickersonfuneral.com