Norwood Obituaries: Rita Roche and Stephen Cucinotta

Obituaries from Tributes.com.

Rita Roche (1924-2012)

Rita Roche was born on February 13, 1924 and passed away on Friday, July 13, 2012.

Mrs. Roche was a resident of Norwood, Massachusetts at the time of her passing.

Rita attended Hunter College, NY and the University of Oklahoma, Stillwater.

She was a veteran of WWII serving in the Navy-WAVES.

She was preceded in death by her husband James Sr.

In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Rita J. Roche may be made to The Wounded Warriors Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675, or to the charity of one's choice.

Stephen J. Cucinotta (1929-2012)

Stephen J. Cucinotta, of Norwood, formerly of Watertown, died Friday, July 13, 2012. He was 82.

Stephen was born in Belmont on September 19, 1929 a son of Sicilian immigrants John S. and Angela (Bonanno) Cucinotta. Born and raised in Belmont he graduated from Belmont High School and earned an associate degree from Boston University. Stephen honorably served his country in the United States Air Force during the Korean Conflict. On November 12, 1956 in Saint Patrick's Church in Roxbury he married Frances T. Lyons. They lived in Watertown for over 37 years and on the Cape in Sandwich before settling in Norwood in 2011.

Steve began his work alongside his father in the family business, School Street Barber Shop in Belmont where he assumed ownership and ran the business for over 50 years, retiring in 1993.

He was a talented athlete and excelled in baseball where he played first base for Belmont High School. Like any young ballplayer his dream was fulfilled when he played in the state championship at Fenway Park. Not only was Stephen talented with scissors and razor when at work he loved model railroads and building wooden model ships. Stephen was lovingly referred to as "Grumpy", a term of endearment by his grandchildren specifically because he was opposite of the term and he adored each of them.

Stephen was predeceased by his siblings, Michael Cucinotta, Nancy Nugent and Mary Hale.

In addition to his wife of 56 years, Frances, he leaves his children, Mary Ellen Mooney and her husband, Michael, of Nashville, Tennessee, Carol A. Barbato and her husband, Richard, of Bedford, Stephen F. Cucinotta of Watertown and Paul M. Cucinotta and his wife, Lynne, of Waltham; his grandchildren, Carole Bagby, Kevin and Kate Mooney, Richard and Keith Barbato, Matthew and Samantha Cucinotta; his great-grandchildren, Andrew, Patrick and Meghan Bagby, Brayden and Owen Mooney; nieces and nephews.

Memorial donations may be made to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute – The Jimmy Fund, P.O. Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284.