Anthony Cugno

Anthony Cugno passed away peacefully at home in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida, on July 10, 2024, surrounded by family. Tony, Dad, Pop, Poppy, Pop Pop, Papa Bear or Grandpa was a man who loved his family. He worked hard his whole life and will be remembered for his unrivaled integrity and for helping anyone and everyone who needed it. His life of 100+ years encompassed seventeen presidents, the Great Depression, the Second World War, and inventions ranging from television to the internet.
Anthony was born in Waterbury, Connecticut, on November 6, 1923. He is preceded in death by his parents, Anna and Salvatore Cugno; stepbrothers, Sandy, Tommy, Charley and Sammy; stepsister, Leena; son, Major General William (Billy) Cugno; and wife of seventy-three years, Marie Cugno. He is survived by sons, Richard Cugno and Thomas Cugno; daughter, Teresa (Terri) Cugno Kurkjian; son-in-law, Andrew Kurkjian; daughter-in-law, Susan Cugno; granddaughters, Anna Talaric, Bridget Cugno, Krista Cugno Lofquist, and Kara Cugno; grandsons, Christopher Kurkjian and Anthony Cugno; and great grandchildren, Weslie Talaric, Margot Talaric, Jemma Talaric, Natalie Lofquist and Sofia Lofquist.
Tony graduated from the Craft Grammar School in 1938. As a child, he delivered newspapers before school and could be found at the Boys Club playing sports after school. At Leavenworth High School, Tony played both football and basketball, was captain of the basketball team and was President of his 1942 graduating class.Tony married his high school sweetheart, Marie Grace Cavallo, on April 26, 1943, the same year he enlisted in the Navy. Aboard the USS Okala ARST#2, he went through the Panama Canal to Buckner Bay in Okinawa and then to Yokosuka Japan. He was discharged in January 1946 with the rank of Boatswain's Mate, Second Class. Back in Waterbury, Tony joined Scovill Manufacturing's four-year apprenticeship to become a Tool Maker, graduating in 1950. He moved up in the company, serving Product Process Engineer and later as a Superintendent, before being promoted to Manufacturing Plant Manager. He represented the skilled trades in difficult union contract negotiations. Tony was well-respected by the employees at every level and was known for his fairness and professionalism. He served on the Board of Directors for the General Products Division and retired after forty-four years of service. As Tony's career thrived, so did his service to the community. He was a Cub Scoutmaster, coached Little League Baseball and CYO basketball. He received the prestigious Golden Deeds Award from the Waterbury Exchange Club and was honored as Sportsman of the Year by the Waterbury Timers. He was instrumental in developing the Waterbury Pop Warner Football League, serving ten years as a coach, and later as President. When asked to get shirts for kids on the team, he instead rallied his friends to outfit the entire league with uniforms and helmets He was Chairman of the United Way Fund at Scovill Manufacturing. Tony was on the Board of Directors of the Bucks Hill Community club, was an active parishioner at St. Michaels Catholic Church in Waterbury and loved to play tennis and badminton.
Tony's dream was to retire on Cape Cod. He bought a lot, built a house in 1984, sold his longtime family home on Chestnut Hill Avenue in Waterbury and moved to Brewster, Massachusetts in the mid 1990's. Nothing pleased him more than raking clams in Mill Pond in Orleans. The highlight of everyone's summer was his Fourth of July cookout and wiffle ball game with family and friends, featuring his clams on the half shell, homemade clam chowder and stuffed clams.The family wants to say, "Thank you Dad for your unwavering love and support that will live within us forever. You were there from our earliest memories, guiding us through life's ups and downs, and always believing in us. Your love and teachings will continue to guide us, and we will honor you by living up to your example of honor, strength, compassion, integrity, and family values."
There will be a Mass of Christian Burial service held at Resurrection Catholic Church in Miramar Beach, Florida, on Friday, August 2, 2024 at 11:00 a.m., with a viewing from 10:30 a.m. until 11:00 a.m., and a reception following the service. There will be a committal service at the Massachusetts National Cemetery for the immediate family on Tuesday, September 3, 2024.