Joseph Attilio Cuminale

CUMINALE Joseph Attilio Cuminale, age 90, passed away peacefully on Sunday, March 20, 2011 in Marietta, GA. Born on April 25, 1920 in New York, New York, he was the first generation of his family born in America (his parents emigrated from Italy with the hope and promise of a better life for their family in America). His parent's wholly embraced the American dream, and so did their son, Joseph. He rose from his humble roots to attend New York University, from which he graduated in 1941. He then attended Temple University in Pennsylvania to study Dentistry. He graduated from Temple in 1944 with his Doctorate of Dental Surgery, and was immediately drafted into the United States Coast Guard as an Associate Surgeon in the United States Public Health Service during WWII. It was here that he met his wife Marion, a nurse in the USPHS, whom he married in 1945. He was honorably discharged from the service in 1946. He then moved back to New York and opened a private dentistry practice until 1972, when he accepted a position at Louisiana State University's School of Dentistry and was placed in charge of developing the Hospital Residency Program for the School of Dentistry. He later headed that program before retiring from LSU in 1989. Shortly thereafter he moved to Marietta, Georgia. On July 9th, 1982, Joseph Cuminale was presented with a letter of recognition and accommodation for his services to the city of Kenner, Jefferson Parish, Louisiana and the families of crash victims of Flight #759 for his "unselfish dedication and professionalism" (quote from Mayor Aaron Broussard of Kenner, LA) in his task at the temporary morgue set up for the crashed Flight #759. His skills as a forensic dentist helped to identify the victims of this tragic event, and later he earned the honorary rank of Captain in the Jefferson Parish Forensic Department. He was also a fellow of the Academy of General Dentistry (1974), American Association of Hospital Dentists (1983), and the International College of Dentists (1986). Mr. Cuminale was a devout Catholic and belonged to Holy Family Catholic Church in Marietta. He was a 4th degree Knight of Columbus. Mr. Cuminale is survived by his wife of 65 years, Marion; his son and daughter-in-law, Michael and Nancy Cuminale; his daughter, Maria St. Philip; his 8 grandchildren and their spouses: Andrew and Peggy St. Philip, Linda and Erik Reynolds, Joseph St. Philip, Carlo St. Philip, Matthew St. Philip, Mary St. Philip, Christopher Cuminale, and Leslie Cuminale; his 2 great-grandchildren: Kathryn Reynolds and Sophia St. Philip; and other relatives and friends. A private Funeral Mass will be held at Holy Family Catholic Church, Marietta, GA on Friday, March 25th, 2011 at 11:00am (located at 3401 Lower Roswell Rd., Marietta, GA 30068). Arrangements by H.M. Patterson & Son Canton Hill, Marietta, GA. 770-977-9485. Online condolences may be expressed at www.hmpattersoncantonhill.com