Memories of Peter "Pete" Cucuz

In memory of

Peter "Pete" Cucuz

Chicago, IL, USA

June 21, 1945 - February 17, 2021

Jun 21, 1945 - Feb 17, 2021

In lieu of flowers

Please consider a donation to Memorial Fund for Peter.

Learn more & give
Help keep everyone in the know by sharing this memorial website.

Share

Story

Condolence

Year (Optional)

Location (Optional)

Caption

YouTube/Facebook/Vimeo Link

Caption

Who is in this photo?

Or start with a template for inspiration

About you

What was your relationship to Peter?

Cancel

By posting this memory, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Notice.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

George Bogdanich

Miss your stories, the laughs we had, going to White Sox games with your grandson Wyatt and my daughter Lana. You were her Kum.

Read More Read Less

Bob Bauer

Kookoo i miss you my brother!! We had some good times over the years he was a brother to me!! Junior

Read More Read Less

George Bogdanich

Peter was my Kum, godfather to my two daughters, a wonderful friend, loving father, great sense of humor, a big personality. We had so many laughs and good times, but what I'm remembering now was his dedication and work ethic. Before he moved back to Chicago, I visited him in Staten Island where every morning despite his emphysema and age, he rose early in the morning, drove to Brooklyn to train workers in safety practices with his mobile oxygen device on wheels trailing behind him. As an OSHA inspector he fought for workers whose health and safety were in danger. He had an excellent sense of humor and his heartfelt but funny speech at his daughter Dina's wedding had me laughing all the way. Will always remember Peter.

Read More Read Less

Please consider a donation to Memorial Fund for Peter.

$5,593.33

total raised

Learn more & give

Michela Iannelli

Peter was a client of mine who I adored. I loved seeing him monthly - he always had the best stories. I thought of him today, looked up his name, and was truly heartbroken. May Peter rest in paradise, he was one of a kind. Going to miss you Peter!

Read More Read Less

George Bogdanich

Peter was my Kum, godfather to my daughters Lana and Stephanie, a wonderful friend with a big heart and a great sense of humor. We hung out for years, talked politics, sports, history and about our friends and families. There were many stories, good times and I remember the touching and very funny speech he gave at his daughter Dina's wedding, but I remember his dedication and work ethic. Long after his colleagues retired Peter who by then had an oxygen tank trailing behind him would get up early for work to teach safety to workers. As an OSHA inspector he was fearless in going after employers who endangered their workers and he knew the rules inside out. He was a great story teller dedicated family man and a wonderful friends. Will miss you Kum Peter!

Read More Read Less

Angelina Endresen

Shared a heart

Mike and Maureen Naset

Thinking of you.

Read More Read Less

Anonymous Anonymous

Shared a heart

Anonymous Anonymous

Pete was my OSHA instructor. He was also a good friend. I will miss him. I am so sorry for your loss.

Read More Read Less

Tanja Bolen

Shared a heart

Jeremy Noller

Condolences to the family. So glad we got to know Pete in NYC. Such a great guy. We know he will be dearly missed by all.

Read More Read Less

Ilija Cucuz

Dear Mike and Dina,
Accept our sincere condolences for your loss.
Ilija Cucuz and family

Read More Read Less

Linda Ballas

Peter and I could eat and dunk an entire package of Oreo Cookies in 15-20 minutes just discussing life. We would surprise ourselves when the package was empty and hoped no one would notice the newly bought package of Oreos was now "gone."

Read More Read Less

In response to "What made Peter different from most people you know?"

Linda Ballas

Dear Mary, Mike and Dina,
Peter was a true friend. My heart is hurting. His love for all of you was great. You all have a special place in his heart, that neither pain, suffering, or illness could take that away. God has blessed Peter with a good life, family and above all, grand-children. His pride and JOY. Isaiah 41:10 says, "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you. I will help you. I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. "
Love, Teta Linda

Read More Read Less

Nedeljko Lunich

Dear Mary, Mike and Dina and the rest of family,
I was saddened to hear of Peter passing away. The time comes when we are called for a better world, the world of eternal blessedness. So, let us rejoice in a fact that Peter lived a full life here on the earth. Yes, like many others he had good life mixed with some bumps.
I enjoyed him and Mary while they were parishioners of St. George Church in Joliet during my pastorship. Peter served on the Auditing Board few years. They were kind and respectful of a priest as well as all St. George parishioners. Later the life took them in different direction. I heard from time to time about their where being. It was always nice to hear that they were well, doing well, especially about Mike and Dina.
Now the course of Peter's earthly life has ended. We ask almighty God to be merciful to his soul, to forgive him all his transgressions and reward him for all good deeds he had done in his earthly life.
My deepest sympathy to the family!
Fr. Ned

Read More Read Less

Micky Maragos

Good guy, we had many laughs together,may his memory be eternal. Micky Maragos

Read More Read Less

nick hajdusiewicz

i watched rocky IV at the cucoz’s house as a kid...thank you for the memories

Read More Read Less

Jerry & Babs Hajdusiewicz

Babs and I offer our deepest sympathy to Mary, Michael, and Dina
and the rest of the Cucuz Clan .
Pete " KuKu" Cucuz was many things to me, we met in 1966 ( wish it had been sooner), he was loyal, wise , generous ,funny ,and a lifelong Sox Fan .
We had great times in Gary and Terre Haute ( I mean really great!),.
For Guys our age from the " Region" , there is no greater compliment ( it takes your whole life to earn it) than to be remembered as a "Stand Up Guy" , and Pete Cucuz , you are the personification of a Stand Up Guy .
RIP and Love
Hajy

Read More Read Less

Anonymous Anonymous

Comments:

Drago Kragulj

He was well spoken and educated! Had ability to talk about any topic! Quite prolific in political and historical... Read more He was well spoken and educated! Had ability to talk about any topic! Quite prolific in political and historical spheres ! He ... Read more He was well spoken and educated! Had ability to talk... Read more

Vicki and Dan Dorsey

+Peter was such a bright light to so many. Our condolences to Mara, Mike, Dina and his adored grandchildren. Memory Eternal dear friend.

Read More Read Less

Lenny Pearce

MY FIRST MEMORY OF PETE WAS DURING MY FRESHMAN YEAR AT HORACE MANN HIGH SCHOOL. WE BECAME FRIENDS AND SAW EACH OTHER AFTER SCHOOL AT VARIOUS PLACES IN THE CITY AND CREATED MEMORIES TOGETHER. PETE KNEW SO MANY PEOPLE FROM OTHER HIGH SCHOOLS AND HE WOULD ALWAYS INTRODUCE ME TO THEM. HE KNEW SO MUCH ABOUT GARY'S HISTORY. MY FONDEST MEMORY WAS PLAYING NEXT TO HIM ON OUR HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL TEAM. GOOD ATHLETE AND A STRONG PRESENCE ON THE GRIDIRON.HE LOVED THE WHITE SOX AND IU BASKETBALL. BIG FAN. OVER THE YEARS I SPOKE TO PETE OFTEN. SUCH A NICE GUY. I WILL MISS HIM DEEPLY. LENNY PEARCE

Read More Read Less

Olga & Julio Velazquez

Please accept our heartfelt condolences to all the Cucuz family. Dina and Mike we know your hearts are hurting feeling the loss of your father. We hope you can find comfort in the memories and loving times you shared with your Dad through your lifetimes. Memory Eternal
☦️ Love, Olga snd Julio

Read More Read Less

Momcilo & Vojka Kovljenic

We were family friends from the former Yugoslavia with both my husbands family (+Mico and +Grozda Kovljenic) and as well as my family (+Dusan & +Stana Ivankovic). They had a close relationship with the Cucuz family +Marko and +Smilja . On behalf of the Kovljenic family I would like to express our deepest sympathies to the entire Cucuz family and friends. God has blessed him with a beautiful family, may he rest in peace. Vjecnaja Pamjat Bog nek mu Dusu prosti - Familiji iskreno saucesce.

Read More Read Less

Jelena Christensen

I was blessed to have Braco as my cousin. The world was a better place because of him. He was always kind and full of love. My deepest condolences to the entire family especially Dina, Mike, Ranko, Seka and Maca. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Vjecnaja Pamjat...

Read More Read Less

Vito Gasic

Please accept our deepest condolences.
Gasic Family

Read More Read Less

Doug Ashby

Pete and I grew up in Gary in the same neighborhood. If Pete was your friend
you never had to worry about anyone stealing your lunch money. He became known as “OSHA” Pete to my grandkids.
He condemned the clubhouse I built for
them and, I had to rebuild it. We have many fond memories of Pete, he will be missed.

Read More Read Less