Samuel J. Cucuzella

YORK Samuel J. Cucuzella, 78, passed away Saturday, March 15, 2008, at Memorial Hospital. He was the husband of Deborah (Pilkerton) Cucuzella for 33 years. Born June 4, 1929, at 452 S. Duke St., York, he was the son of the late Alfonso Cucuzzella and Angelina (Liotta) Cucuzzella. His family owned and operated a popular grocery store at the corner of Duke and Maple Sts. in the 1940's and 1950's. Sam was a 1947 graduate of York Catholic High School. Being a life long lover of jazz, he attended Brooklyn Conservatory from 1949 to 1950 and became an avid saxophone player. He served in the the U.S. Army from January, 1951, to December, 1952, during the Korean War. While stationed in Germany, he lead the Army Corps band playing sax. Along with his brotherin-law, Alberto Salvo, Sam co-owned and operated York's first pizzeria, Sorrento's Pizza, in the mid to late 1950's. He also owned Sammy's Restaurant on Penn St. through the 1960's and Bella Roma Restaurants in Baltimore, Md., from 1974 to 1989. In addition to his wife, Sam is survived by three children, son, Alfonso Cucuzella of Monkton, Md., daughter, Angelina (Cucuzella) Garofalo of York, and son, Tony Cucuzella of York; one brother, Anthony J. Cucuzella of Lancaster; one sister, Mary (Cucuzella) Salvo of South Daytona Beach, Fla.; six grandchildren, JoJo Garofalo, Samuel Cucuzella, Nicholas S. Garofalo, Alfonso L. Cucuzella, Jennifer C. Palmer, and April Smith; and five great-grandchildren. A viewing will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at the John H. Danner Funeral Home, 822 E. Market St., York. A funeral mass will be celebrated at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, 251 E. Main St., Dallastown, on Monday, March 24, 2008, at 10 a.m. The Rev. Charles L. Persing will be officiating. Burial will immediately follow the service in St. Patrick's Catholic Cemetery with full military rites by the York County Veterans Honor Guard. The family wished to express a special thank you to the Critical Care Unit of Memorial Hospital for their excellent care of Mr. Cucuzella.