Vincent F. Cuozzo, Senior ILA Official, Passes Away at Age 84; Revered ILA Leader Served ILA For 66 Years Under Six International Presidents
NORTH BERGEN, NJ- (Feb. 11, 2016) – Vincent F. Cuozzo, one of the most respected and revered officers of the International Longshoremen’s Association, passed away at Haven Hospice at John F. Kennedy Medical Center in Edison, NJ on Wednesday, February 10, 2016 at age 84.
Mr. Cuozzo had been re-elected to a third term as International Vice President at the ILA’s Convention this past summer in Puerto Rico but recently stepped down from that post. Mr. Cuozzo, a native of Newark, New Jersey, was part of the New Jersey waterfront for 66 years, having first joined ILA Local 1235 in 1949. He joined ILA Local 1478-2 in 1953 and would lead that local as its president from 1981 until 2016.
“I have lost a friend, a mentor and our ILA has lost one of its giants in Vinnie Cuozzo,” said International President Harold J. Daggett. “His accomplishments were vast and his memory will endure. His family of ILA Sisters and Brothers extends deepest condolences to his wife Anne ‘Nina’ Cuozzo and the entire Cuozzo family.”
Vincent Cuozzo, affectionately known as “Vinnie Boo” by his family and scores of waterfront colleagues and friends, served under six of the ILA’s nine International Presidents, beginning with Joseph Ryan in 1949, Captain William Bradley in 1953; Teddy Gleason in 1963; John Bowers in 1987; Richard P. Hughes in 2007 to the current ILA leader Harold J. Daggett in 2011. He was part of the ILA industry that saw containerization reshape the waterfront over his six plus decades of service. Vincent Cuozzo will long be remembered as one of the ILA’s most successful organizers and a champion of the working longshoreman.
Vincent Cuozzo has resided in Carteret, New Jersey for the past 52 years. He was a past Carteret Board of Education member, Carteret Little League coach and served on a number of committees for his St. Joseph Parish, including the Knights of Columbus. A deeply religious man, Vincent Cuozzo wad a devoted communicant and Eucharistic Minister at St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church in Carteret. He has been the recipient of numerous civic and union awards and was a loving husband, father and grandfather.
Vincent Cuozzo was honored by the Greater New York Councils, Boy Scouts of America and also recognized at the ILA’s Children’s Fund 2013 Hole In the Wall Gang Camp Golf Outing.
Vincent Cuozzo is predeceased by his daughter, Margaret Ann Cuozzo-Inneo, as well as two siblings, Anthony “Champ” Cuozzo and Peggy Cuozzo. Surviving are his wife of 62 years, Anne “Nina” Cuozzo; children John Cuozzo and his wife Sharon; Jodi DaSilva and her husband Joe; Vincent Cuozzo, Jr., and his wife Deborah and Karen Rodriguez and her husband Gil. Also surviving are ten grandchildren: Deana, John, Heather, Mark, Vincent, Dominick, Gina, Gilbert, Anthony and Joey along with a sister-in-law, Lillian “Tootie” Cuozzo.
Visitation will be held on Friday, February 12, 2016 from 3 pm until 7 pm at Chubenko Funeral Home, 625 Port Reading Avenue, Port Reading, New Jersey.
Funeral Mass is scheduled for 10 am on Saturday, February 13, 2016 at St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church, 55 High Street, Carteret, New Jersey. Entombment will follow at St. Gertrude’s Cemetery, Good Shepherd Mausoleum in Colonia, New Jersey.