Salvatore Ettore “Papa” Cuccia, age 67 years, of Raritan Township, NJ, died on Thursday, October 20, 2016 in Morristown Medical Center, Morristown, NJ.

Born in Palermo, Sicily, Italy, son of the late Giovanni and Concetta Capalvo Cuccia, Papa emigrated to the United States at the age of thirteen and lived for many years in Brooklyn, NY before moving to Raritan Township thirty years ago.

A baker by trade, he worked for his family’s bakery, Josal’s Bakery, in Brooklyn. Upon moving to NJ, he opened and operated Four Seasons Bake Shop, Califon, NJ for several years. The name came from the fact that his beloved children were born in each of nature’s four seasons. Most recently, he had worked for the bakery at Stop N’ Shop, Flemington, NJ.

Papa loved being outdoors. He was the “MacGyver,” of the family, who could fix almost anything. He greatly enjoyed motorcycles and was a Fox News and Law & Order junkie.

One of the hardest workers his family knew, Papa would give anyone the shirt off his back. He often would go without, so that others could have; his sense of humor was one of a kind and he would give you his mind when it needed to be given. He was a good listener and his advice was always thoughtful and heartfelt.

Papa was one of the original recipients of a cochlear implant and was a big advocate for its use. He also was studied by many doctors over the years as improvements were made and honored to be able to give back to the hearing-impaired and deaf community.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Franca Morrone.

Surviving are his wife of forty-one years, Carol LaLima Cuccia with whom he joined hands in marriage on October 11, 1975 in the Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, Brooklyn, NY; his children, Michele and husband, Ryan Moran, April and husband, Eugene Perez, Deanna Cuccia, Lauren Cuccia and her fiancé, Adam Piccotti, Christopher Cuccia and Andrew Cuccia; his grandchildren, Mykaylah Moran, Sophia Moran, Xander Moran, Fionah Moran and Casey Perez; his brother and sister-in-law, John and Marianna Cuccia; two sisters and brothers-in-law, Alba and Kenny Gadolfi and Patriza and Rosario Oddo; a brother-in-law, Vincenzo Marrone; many extended family and friends; and his favorite fur-child, Diesel.

A Mass of Christian Burial officiated by Rev. Thomas J. Serafin will take place on Tuesday, October 25, 2016 at 9:45 a.m. in St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church, 105 Summer Road, Three Bridges, NJ under the care and direction of Wright & Ford Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 38 State Highway 31, Flemington, NJ. Cremation will follow privately. Everyone is kindly asked to meet directly at the church on Tuesday by 9:40 a.m.

Papa will lie in repose at the funeral home on Monday, October 24, 2016 from 2:00-4:00 p.m. and from 6:00-8:30 p.m. where a sharing of memories will begin at 8:30 p.m.

Everyone is invited to visit Papa’s permanent memorial site at www.wrightfamily.com to send a public or private message of condolence and to share stories and photographs of his life.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions directly to the family to help defray Papa’s medical and end-of-life care would be most appreciated. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home or you may mail your contribution to “Papa Cuccia Memorial Fund,” c/o Wright & Ford, 38 State Highway 31, Flemington, NJ, 08822.