SOMERS – Joseph Charles Cucunato, 84, passed away peacefully and surrounded by his loving family on August 1, 2017.

Joseph was born in Kenosha and was the son of the late Charles and Frances (nee: Loizzo) Cucunato. He graduated from St. Catherine's High School in Racine in 1951 and was an outstanding athlete for St. Catherine's. After graduation, he served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War.

He met Rita Rose Gentile at the Italian American Club one evening after the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church festival. Rita and Joseph went on to get married at Mount Caramel on July 19, 1958 and celebrated their fifty-ninth wedding anniversary this year.

Joseph was employed and learned the trade of floristry by Welke's House of Roses in Milwaukee.  He was also employed at Sunnyside Florist in Kenosha and American Motors. While working at American Motors, he built his own flower shop in 1961 with his wife Rita.

His simple pleasures in life were sharing stories of growing up, of talking about a much simpler time, such as playing football in the Oats field, and of sharing a good meal with his family.  Joseph was a devoted father and grandfather. He loved waiting for his grandchildren, Monica and Vito, to come home from school and listen to their day's events. He spent countless days walking quietly through Petrifying Springs Park and golfing its course with his buddies. Joseph loved nothing more than laughing and making memories with his dear friends Jimmy, Joey, Al, Tashe, and Mike. Every year on his wedding anniversary Joseph asked the love of his life Rita to marry him. She always said, "Who else would I marry?" In business for fifty-five years, Joseph employed countless people who became part of the Flowers by Joseph family. Joseph was a very spiritual man, serving as an altar boy at Our Lady of Holy Rosary Parish as well as serving as a devoted lifelong church member.

Joseph's continuous smile and positive life outlook will be missed. Special thanks to Dr. Mark Meier, Linda, Cara, Vera as well as all the support of Joe's and Rita's neighbors and friends.

In addition to his loving wife, Rita, he is survived by his children, Louis Cucunato, Martin Cucunato, Joseph Cucunato II, Mari Cucunato, Rose Marie Cucunato and Leo (Kristine) Cucunato; his grandchildren, Monica and Vito Cucunato; his brother, Frank (Lucille) Cucunato; his sister, Rita (Fred) Garnero.

Family and friends are invited for memorial mass at Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Catholic Church (2224 45th St) on Tuesday, August 8, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. Please note there will be no visitation before mass. A private interment will take place with military honors at the Southern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Union Grove.

Service Details

TUESDAY, AUGUST 8, 2017

Memorial Mass: 11:00 a.m. at OUR LADY OF THE HOLY ROSARY CATHOLIC CHURCH

(2224 45th St KENOSHA)

THERE WILL NOT BE  A VISITATION BEFORE THE MASS

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