Name: Calling hours for James P. "Jim" Cuda
Start: 2023-09-28T20:00:00.000Z
End: 2023-09-28T23:00:00.000Z
Location: Buckler-Johnston Funeral Home - Westerly

Westerly, R.I. - James P. "Jim" Cuda, 70, of Westerly, passed away peacefully Friday, Sept. 22, 2023, at Lawrence + Memorial Hospital. He was the loving husband of Sally (Stewart) Cuda for 38 years. Born in Westerly, R.I. March 1, 1953, he was the son of Rita (Rose) Cuda and the late John Cuda.

James was a 1971 graduate of Westerly High School and graduated in 1975, with a BA from Slippery Rock University. He owned and operated Cuda Lawn Care Landscaping for over 40 years.

Jim loved all Pittsburgh sports and proudly frequented many Penguins and Pirates games with his family and friends. Super Bowl Sunday was always a day he looked forward to, hosting parties at his home. Jim especially treasured the annual road trips he took with Sally and his daughters to Florida, and Pittsburgh, and later sharing those adventures with his sons-in-law and grandchildren. Most importantly, his grandchildren were the loves of his life, and they each shared a special bond with him that was unmatched.

Besides his wife Sally, he leaves his daughters, Amanda (Thomas) Nowak, of Oakdale, Melissa (Stephen) Villanova, of Yorktown Heights, N.Y., and Elizabeth (Patrick) Malaghan of Stonington; and his five grandchildren: Evelyn Nowak, Brigham Nowak, Madison Villanova, Harper James Villanova, and Camden Malaghan. He adored his grandchildren and was especially looking forward to meeting his new grandson due in January. He is also survived by his nephew Sean Cuda; brother-in-law Darren (Beth-Ann) Stewart; mother and father-in-law, James and Ruth Stewart; and many cousins and dear friends. He was preceded in death by his brother John D. Cuda.

The family would like to share a special appreciation to Dr. Jason Haldas and Heidi Schilke and all the caretakers who were so caring and compassionate for Jim over the last four years at Smilow Cancer Center Yale.

Calling hours will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 28, at the Buckler-Johnston Funeral Home, 121 Main Street, Westerly, R.I, Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Friday, Sept. 29, with all gathering directly at St Pius X Catholic Church, 44 Elm Street, Westerly, R.I. Burial will follow at River Bend Cemetery, Westerly.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in James' name to the Rhode Island Blood Center. https://www.ribc.org/support-us/ 143 Franklin Street, Westerly RI 02891. For online condolences, please visit www.buckler-johnston.com.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Day on Sep. 25, 2023.

Memories and Condolences
for James Cuda

Sponsored by Buckler-Johnston Funeral Home - Westerly.

11 Entries

Lorraine

November 18, 2023

My deepest condolences to Jim's loving family. Jim was one of the nicest people in the world, and I was blessed to know him. Lorraine

Joe Tony Manette

October 20, 2023

Jim's list of terrific attributes stretches from the top of his large property to the end of his vast woods. One that is particularity striking was his
tremendous work ethic that often left my brothers and I awestruck. Jim completed all
tasks with a effective ,well thought out approach
leading to precision and the best possible outcome. There was a complete objectives driven
persona day after day, week after week ,year after year. A notable illustration was the night he began the laborious task of filling out his monthly landscape bills. Jim's customer base was very impressive so he got a early start that night.
Jim remained oblivious to the time and continued until finally he looked out the window and seeing daylight realised it was daybreak.
He never skipped a beat and went out the door
for another day on the lawns. Many times during the off season Jim helped others with tasks and
performed as though they were his own.
A solid family man, Jim was also very caring.
If someone brought a concern to his attention
he would go into deep thought eventually offering a plethora of helpful potential solutions.
A vivid image of mine is the all day winter bonfires
that stretched well into the night. The program was a decades old product of our imagination
which evolved into a massive celebration of winter
life in New England. So irresistible were these bonfires that they eventually included many friends, family members, and neighbours. They would feature excellent food and drink with robust laughter.
In what would be our last walk through the woods
which were Jim's backyard I thought of how blessed I was to have Jim as a friend- one who
was always willing to quickly sort out any glitches
in life that arose. That day Jim asked me what
I remembered most from our many years together. The question surprised me and I babbled about all the good times but my answer
was way too myopic. What I remember most is
Jim's unwavering dedication to be a friend in the finest sense of the word. For that I will always
be grateful. Joe Tony Manette

Mike Lentz

October 17, 2023

I'm greatly saddened to learn of Jim's passing. I had the great good fortune to be his friend in college, at Slippery Rock University. He was always the most positive, caring, and lively young man and I know that he will be deeply missed. Although it has been far to long since I was able to enjoy his company, I knew him well as a man of character and positivity. My sincere condolences to his family and friends and I know that his memory will live on among so many others, as his rememberance will always do so in mine. My prayers go out to his family.

Mike Lentz

Larlham Landscape Const, Co.

Sent Flowers

Barbara

September 26, 2023

Warmest condolences to Sally and family for the loss of Jim.

Among my fond memories, I will especially treasure the barbecue that we all enjoyed at Joe Manette´s home last summer. There on a warm, sunny afternoon, we gathered as friends to commemorate the day and acknowledge our many blessings. Jim was a valiant superhero. I will remember his honest, hardworking and tenacious spirit. Bless you, Jim. Hearts to Heaven.

Dan Dinoto

September 25, 2023

To Mrs. Rita Cuda, to Sally, Amanda, Melissa, Elizabeth to all your family: If you look up the phrase "Great Guy" in a dictionary, you will find a photo of my friend Jim Cuda. We met as small boys at State St. School, I think in 3d grade and we became friends so that's a friendship of 62 or 63 years, but who's counting? We just remained friends throughout and Jimmy was as easy a guy as there was to be friends with. The fact that we were close alphabetically kept us connected administratively, but it was deeper than that. We were just always friends. Life took us in different direction after high school, but we would always meet and reconnect at reunions, get caught up, share photos of the kids, and definitely have a few laughs. I would always remark that he never looked any older! He was the most youthful looking 60 year old man I ever knew! In those settings(reunions) its sort of difficult to spend enough time with an old friend, but we managed to do that and I always appreciated that connection. We ran into each other late one night a few years ago in the dairy section at Walmart in Westerly. Jim was favoring one foot. I asked him what happened and he told me he was playing with his grandchildren in the yard and the was a snowman that had melted down to a pile of snow. He kicked the pile of snow, but under the snow was a solid block of ice, and he injured his foot pretty severely. This was followed by complications in the setting and/or healing process. He was pretty aggravated about it. I felt terrible and wished there was something I could do. I never saw Jim in a state like that. The important point in telling you this is that 2 guys who knew each other for around 60 yrs. at that point stopped and once again got caught up. This is the touchstone of friendship. I was struck by something else in this conversation. Jim thanked me for recognizing and remembering him. I have to say, unless I was then, or will be in a state of memory loss with the aging process, I would never for get such a good old friend as Jim Cuda; not then, not ever.
My best thoughts and wishes are with all of you who I know with certainty that he loved deeply and completely. His memory will be a blessing for all of you as well as for me.

Gina Conover

September 25, 2023

Dear Amanda, Tommy, Evelyn, and Brigham,
I am so very sorry for your loss. Jim was such a lovely man. May he rest in peace and may all of you find peace in the memories you had with him.
All my love,
Gina

Elaine Headley

September 25, 2023

Sam and I are so sorry for your loss. Sending our condolences and prayers to you and your family.

Cheryl Bernat

September 25, 2023

I am so sorry for your loss. You are all in my thought and prayers during this difficult time

John Manette

September 25, 2023

I've been life long friend of Jims for over 50 years. During that time we have shared so many special memories that it's impossible to list them all. We worked together, we lived together and went to sporting events and concerts or sometimes just hung out together. Just recently Jim and Ihad the opportunity to attend a Rod Stewart concert who was a favorite of both of ours.Jim and his wife Sally often visited with me
In Florida and whenever I would come to Westerly we would always be together at a barbecue or some other special event. I admired Jims remarkable courage over the past few years !Rest in peace brother. You'll be dearly missed!God bless you Sally and beautiful family. John and Jane Manette.

Alan Caolo

September 25, 2023

Very sad news - my condolences to the Cuda and Rose families. Jim will be missed . . .

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