Robert A Cuccia

On the 17th of December, the love of my life Robert A. Cuccia went to his eternal heavenly home. Bob loved to tell the story of how we met in the pool at the condos where we live. We would talk for hours by the pool and it did not take long to fall in love.

We were married on April 28th, 2012, at Christ the King Lutheran Church, attended by family and friends sharing in our happiness.

Bob was born June 11th 1940 in New York City. Bob was raised by his loving parents, Tony and Johanna along with his younger sister, Carol. Bob attended Stuyvesant High School, which is a college-preparatory school accepting only applicants with the highest SHSAT scores. Bob was on the football team and met with his team mates for yearly reunions until recently.

Bob was a Boy Scout in his youth and remained active with the Boy Scouts for over fifty years. He traveled the world with the Boy Scouts, including Jamborees to South Korea and Australia. Bob also took a school bus of Boy Scouts on a journey through Alaska, which he talked about often. He was very proud of all the young men he encountered through scouting.

Bob went to Valparaiso University in Indiana and graduated with a degree in Psychology. After college, Bob joined the United States Navy and went to Officers Candidate school in Rhode Island.

Bob served eight years active duty and twenty-five years in the naval reserves. Upon retirement, Bob achieved the rank of Captain, of which he was very proud. Bob served in the Pentagon and was called to active duty during Desert Storm. Bob was a Public Affairs Officer and received many honors. One of his cherished honors was being asked to stand next to President, George H. W. Bush and First Lady Barbara Bush for the 50th Anniversary of Pearl Harbor on the USS Arizona Memorial.

Bob worked in Washington, DC for forty-two years for the Department of Labor in Public Affairs. One of his highlights in the department was making public service announcements. Bob made a public service announcement for equal pay for women. His announcement used most of stars from Batman and Batgirl. This public service commercial Batman versus Batgirl for equal pay can still be seen on youTube. Bob won many awards for his public service commercials using many other people in the entertainment industry.

Bob worked under nine administrations in Washington and had the honor of becoming friends with many prominent people. One of his dear friends was John Couric, Katie Couric’s father. They attended The American University together where Bob received his graduate degree.

Bob had a fifty-six year career as an adjunct professor teaching at eight different higher education colleges. Among those were The U. S. Naval Academy, The Federal Executive Institute, The American University, University of Maryland and most recently ten years at St. Petersburg College. Bob taught Public Relations Theory, Techniques and Programs, Business Writing and Communications, Government Communications, Writing and Editing for Mass Media, English Composition and Journalistic Writing and Reporting.

Bob moved to Florida in 2006 and loved the beach and was very proud of his shell collection, which he meticulously organized. Bob was an avid sports fan, enjoying college and professional football, baseball and hockey. Bob loved to play golf and played regularly with my brother, Peter. Bob enjoyed golf lessons with his grandson Dylan and then lunch at Smokey Bones. Bob loved so many restaurants in our area, that he even made a restaurant list to give neighbors. Bob was surrounded with the love of family and the very special memories that we will forever cherish.

I was truly blessed to be his wife and love him dearly knowing he is always near in my heart. Bob is survived by his loving family, his wife Trina, sister Carol, daughter Amy, step-children Kimberly, David, wife Lisa and Jason. Bob was pre-deceased by his parents Tony and Johanna, his son, David, nephew, Tom and brother-in-law, Peter. Bob is also survived by his grandchildren, Nicole, Joshua, Robert, Christopher, Dylan, Cooper, and Harper. His great-grandchildren Cali and Cashlynn. Also, Kailey and Brianna who he had a very close bond with. Bob is also survived by his nephew John, wife Kim and great-nephews Nathaniel and Anthony. Also, his great-nieces Abby and Joanna. Also, his very dear friend, Michael Koch and his wife Diane.

Please consider making a donation to the American Cancer Society in Bob’s honor.

A private memorial service and burial will be held at Bay Pines National Cemetery, St Petersburg, Florida.

Arrangements were made under the direction of Garden Sanctuary Funeral Home, 7950 131st Street, Seminole, Florida 33776.