Florence Osinski Cucchiara

Florence Cucchiara, 91 of Cape Coral, FL formerly of North Fort Myers passed away on Friday, March 9, 2012. Florence was born on June 19, 1920 in Chester, Pennsylvania to Joseph and Xaverina Klarcewicz Osinski, one of 8 children; Michael, Piotr, Natalie, Jean, Helen, Alfred and Eddie; and grew up in Brooklyn. On September 28, 1940 she married the love of her life, Lt. Mario Victor Cucchiara, NYPD and moved to Riverhead, Long Island, NY. She was very competitive and a great all around athlete; having many first places in running, ping pong, tennis, diving and Judo. She had a black belt in Judo and taught Judo for many years, for free, to children of all ages in various areas of Suffolk County. Though she was almost completely deaf Florence was an excellent Mandolin player and played for a Russian Orchestra in New York. To Florence there were no strangers, everyone was always welcome in her home. Her life mission was to help others. She got saved when she was in her early teens thanks to a summer church camp run by a store front Mission in the Bowery of New York.

Florence is survived by her loving family including her husband of 71 years, Mario Cucchiara; five children, Matteo Cucchiara, Exenia Pirrone, Alfred Cucchiara, Colleen Flick and Melody Galka; brother Alfred; sister Jean; 14 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren scattered throughout the United States. Florence was 91 years old when she breathed her last breath here on earth, before waking in the arms of Jesus in heaven to await that great day when we all will meet again.

Visitation will begin at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, March 20th until the Celebration of Life service at 3 p.m. at Coral Ridge Funeral Home, 1630 Pine Island Rd., Cape Coral with Pastor Bob Carlson officiating. Entombment will follow at Coral Ridge Cemetery. Please visit www.coralridgefuneralhome.com to leave thoughts and memories for her family.