General Bill Cugno Dead At Age 63
Story and Photograph By John Murray
General Bill Cugno, a prominent figure in Waterbury politics under the administration of former mayor, Philip Giordano, died unexpectedly last week in Naples, Florida. He was 63 years old. Cugno burst on the political scene in Waterbury in early 1996 when he was appointed Giordano's chief of staff. His impact was immediate, and high octane. Cugno was responsible for the daily operations in the city, and used his extensive military background to organize the Giordano team.
Cugno held a masters degree in public administration and attempted to bring elements of his military training into city government. At the first department head meeting in 1996 Cugno asked all department heads to stand as Giordano entered the room. The gesture was meant to show respect for the office of mayor, but the departments heads hadn't stood for the previous mayor, Mike Bergin, so they grumbled and muttered. Cugno's military approach to city government rubbed some entrenched department heads the wrong way, but he was passionate and engaged in trying to move the city forward.
Extraordinarily passionate about hunting, Cugno had a mounted Buffalo head in his office in the Chase Building, and with the slightest prompting, would revel in tales of alligator hunting in the swamps of Louisiana, or shark fishing in the Atlantic Ocean.
Cugno left Waterbury politics in June 1999 to become the adjunct general and commander of the Connecticut National Guard, where he served for six years. In the spring of 2002 Cugno called The Waterbury Observer to invite me to accompany him on a five day trip to Nicaragua. I had 12 hours to respond, and within 36 hours I was on a small private airplane en route to Nicaragua with Cugno, and a small staff of National Guardsmen.
I sat next to Cugno on the flight to Key West, where we overnighted, and we spent hours talking about Waterbury politics. He was stunned at the arrest and incarceration of Giordano, and like most of the people in the Giordano administration, had been blindsided by the mayor's heinous sexual misconduct with two minor girls.
All testosterone and high energy, Cugno battered my ears with non-stop talk for 12-14 hours a day. His staff was thrilled I had joined the trip, and several of them told me privately if I hadn't come along, Cugno would have held their feet to the fire for five straight days. I had been a pleasant diversion for Cugno, and his staff was thrilled. I had a unique opportunity to tour Managua with Cugno, visit with the U.S. Ambassador, and fly into a remote mountain village on a Black Hawk helicopter to inspect a National Guard well drilling project. At the end of the trip we all bought illegal Cuban cigars to smuggle back into the country. When we arrived back in Florida a customs agent boarded the plane and discovered our illegal contraband. The agent looked directly at Cugno, who gave a sheepish grin, and we were allowed to keep the cigars.
General Cugno was full of life and I was stunned to see his face staring out from today's obituary page in the Republican-American newspaper. He was a vibrant man, and at 63, still a young man.
Bill Cugno was a platoon leader in Vietnam, the operations director for Waterbury and the commander of the Connecticut National Guard. He was high energy while he lived, and the world is a little less interesting now that he is gone.
Many people are better off for having known MG Cugno. Thank you for your leadership, and your forward-thinking vision and relentless optimism during challenging times. You had the ability to recognize talent and ability in people who didn't necessarily recognize those qualities within themselves.
I had the pleasure of working for/with Col. Bill Cugno for the years he served as COS for then Mayor Philip Giordano. As a young and impressionable 21 year old who worked in the administration The General was a person, a man, a leader that you could not help but look up to. One of my first interactions with the General was when we were discussing a problem and he abruptly stopped me and said hey "nothing's a problem, just a situation and don't think of bringing me a situation without the solution." the General was always there for all of us who were very young and inexperienced. He brought a true level of respect anytime he entered a room. Respect that wasn't just given but earned. To this day I shine my shoes each and every morning based on what I was taught by the General. I was also fortunate enough to be the only member of the administration that the General asked to me present in his swearing in from Col. To General by then Gov. John Rowland. It certainly was an honor for me. I only wish I had the opportunity to be a bit older and much wiser when I worked for him. I can't even imagine what I would have taken away from it. I can say with all sincerity that my life is better for the short time that you spent in it. God Speed Sir. The other side is a bit safer as well as wiser now that you are there.
Bill Cugno On Thursday, November 10th, Bill Cugno, age 63, unexpectedly
passed away, and both family and friends
are deeply saddened by their loss.
Bill is survived by his Beloved
Life Partner, Angela Rinaldi of Naples,
FL; his devoted parents, Marie and
Anthony Cugno of Sugar Land, TX and
Cape Cod, MA; his loving family, including
sister Terri Kurkjian and brother-in-law,
Andy Kurkjian, of Sugar Land, TX; brother Rick Cugno and his life partner,
Sue Wiesing, of Naples, FL; brother Tom
Cugno of Cape Cod, MA; daughter Kara
Cugno of Greenwich, CT; daughter Krista
Lovquist and son-in-law Mark Lovquist of
Southington, CT; granddaughters Sophia
and Natalie Lovquist; nieces Bridget Marie
Cugno and Anna Kurkjian; nephews
Christopher Kurkjian and Anthony
Cugno; his ever faithful companion,
Labrador Retriever Harley; and a host
of extended friends and family.
As a graduate of the US Army
War College, a distinguished career as
a retired Major General and recipient
of the US Army Silver Star award, Bill
had the opportunity to positively influence the lives of many. But while Bill’s
professional career was noteworthy, his impact on the lives of his friends and
family is even more significant. Bill was a
true leader. He was looked up to by many
as being a straight shooter -- both honest
and direct, yet always recognizing the
value and contribution of others. Bill held
himself to the highest standards of all and
led by example with all that he did.
Bill loved his family most of all, but also
had a passion for building street rods, fishing,
and cooking. Bill was never without a BIG project
done to perfection. He renovated his Naples, FL
home with his partner Angela, and together
they made it a happy and beautiful home, with
frequent impromptu barbeques and meals
for family and friends. Bill’s friends quickly
learned that with the Cugno Family, it
wasn’t just about the great Italian food, it
was always about the conversations at the
table with family and friends... conversations
that were spirited, enthusiastic and went
on through the night!
Bill celebrated life every day and lived it
to the fullest, whether it was a mission on the battlefield
or the Four Corner Motorcycle Trip around the Country.
Family was always number one... Bill will be remembered
and loved always, and his life will be celebrated in the
memory of each person who knew him. Bill danced as
though no one was watching, sang as though no one
could hear, and loved like he had never
been hurt... He was an amazing Life Partner, Son,
Brother, Father, Grandfather, Uncle and Friend, and will be
dearly missed by all that were fortunate
enough to have known him...
May He Rest in Peace.