Kenneth Edward Cuneo

Kenneth (‘Ken’) Edward Cuneo, a resident of Pacific Grove, California, passed away peacefully with family on March 21, 2025, at the age of 83. Ken was a 30-year member of the community, known for his civic engagement, love of conversation and his eclectic interests. He was one of a kind and all who met him have a lasting memory. Stubborn and principled, he lived life on his terms.

Ken was born in 1942 in Elmhurst, New York. He attended Power Memorial Academy where he played basketball. He graduated from Niagara University and obtained two master's degrees from Fordham University. He retired in 1995 as a Lieutenant Colonel after a career in the United States Army. While serving he did a tour in the Vietnam War, he married Mary Sholette in 1970 and had two sons, Brian and Art. With the Army, the family moved to live in Germany. He later had assignments in Italy and Portugal. Upon retirement from the Army, he settled in Pacific Grove. After retirement, he had a second career as a manager of housekeeping at Monterey-area hotels. He enjoyed putting his Spanish-speaking skills to use.

Instilled with a strong intellectual curiosity, he spoke five languages fluently and traveled later in life to India, China, Africa, Ireland and back to Vietnam. He also took a special trip in 2014 with his son Art to Israel.

He was passionate about animals. He owned several beloved basset hounds and other dogs: Farfel, Rigoletto, Jemima, and Marmaduke. His affection for these companions was well-known to everyone who met him on one of their many neighborhood walks.

He became interested in riding Harley Davidson motorcycles. He often reminisced about the trip his nephew Mark made to California where they rode Harleys together to Big Sur and other areas.

Ken believed in service. He was a member of the Pacific Grove City Council from 2008-2016 and ran for mayor in 2018. He and another councilman led a Homeless Challenge to increase funding for several area homeless organizations. In addition to the city council, Ken was active with the Rotary Club and the Sons and Daughters of Italy. He was a substitute teacher for many years in the local schools. This was a return to his first career before the army as a history teacher. He enjoyed being a parishioner of the Unitarian Universalist Church of the Monterey Peninsula. The family is grateful for the time Reverend Axel Gehrmann spent with Ken in his final days.

He was intently focused on higher education. His sons and grandchildren recall the numerous conversations focused on colleges, college visits, and catalogues that began at (very) early ages. He was very proud of his family and often talked with impressive recall of minute details about their lives.

He is survived by his sons, Art Cuneo and Brian Cuneo (Julie), five grandchildren: Hannah, Kathryn, Claire, Paul and Ella, his nephew Mark Porcillo, his niece Christine Porcillo-Zito (Thomas), his brother-in-law Joseph Porcillo and several friends. His sister, Lurana “Ronnie” Porcillo (Joseph), passed away one day after Ken on March 22, 2025.

At Ken’s request, the memorial service will be private at Arlington National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to The SPCA Monterey County or the National Multiple Sclerosis Society in Ken's honor. The family is very thankful for the care he received at Pacific Grove Senior Living and by Dharma Naidu and the team at Community Hospital of Monterey Peninsula.

Ken will be deeply missed. We hope he is somewhere walking in the sunshine with his dog and his flat cap on.