Vincent John Cuoghi

Vincent John Cuoghi “VJ” passed away on Memorial Day, May 31, 2021 after a short illness.

VJ was born in Memphis, Tennessee on October 9, 1924 to Joseph Anthony Cuoghi and Theresa Cicalla Cuoghi.  He grew up the youngest of five children, all of whom pre-deceased him. His parents immigrated from northern Italy during World War I -- the story goes that Joseph and Theresa came to the U.S. (Ellis Island) with only $6.00 to their name.  VJ was born in the US as a first generation American!  He enlisted in the army at 19 and served in the European theater working in communications, earning four medals during his tour of duty, mostly in Germany and Switzerland.

After returning from the war he took over his father’s family grocery business in downtown Memphis, Cuoghi’s WEONA #124, and owned the store for almost 60 years.  VJ’s brother, Joe, went into the record and recording business and opened Poplar Tunes and Hi Records where he had clients like the young Elvis Presley, Isaac Hayes and many others.  VJ was awarded one of President George HW Bush’s “1000 points of light” program showcasing community volunteerism among neighbors.  VJ was the ‘go to‘ guy in the low income area where the grocery was located as he helped his customers pay bills, notarize documents and navigate City Hall.  His customers called him ‘Mr. VJ’. He sold groceries on credit with payment at the “end of the month.” He also delivered groceries to homebound customers (a precursor to 2020!).  He was forced to single-handedly protect that property during the Memphis police strike and riots in downtown Memphis that ensued after the Martin Luther King, Jr. assassination in 1968.  VJ was also a Member of Toastmasters International and a graduate of the Dale Carnegie Institute.

In 1951, on his birthday, he married Geraldine Rose Lucchesi who he met in the Catholic Youth Organization (CYO). They got married on his birthday so he would never forget their anniversary! Their marriage lasted almost 67 years until Geri’s death in 2018. They had three daughters; seven grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.  In 1967, Geri thought that they didn’t do enough together, as VJ worked over 60 hours a week at the grocery store. So they took up ballroom dancing, which suited them both well and they won shelves full of trophies dancing together and with their teachers over the next 50 years. Their specialty was Latin dancing. They danced until Geri’s passing in 2018. His favorite song to dance to was the Tennessee Waltz.

VJ retired from the grocery business after almost 60 years. After a few years of ‘honey do’s’, he went to work for his brother-in-law in the specialty pasta business. A jack of all trades, he ran the register and drove the catering truck and “got to see some of the best houses in Memphis”, including FedEx chair Fred Smith!  He retired again at 91 when he and Geri moved to Albuquerque in 2015 to be closer to family. Always active, he only slowed down recently during the pandemic. Fiercely independent, and a “testa dura”, he refused to be a burden on his family. VJ was an unassuming, kind-hearted, hard-working, devout Catholic, family man and a rock to his adoring family. He will be missed every day!

His survivors include three daughters – Teresa (Jim) Edens, Stephanie (Joe) Caratenuto and Camille (Randy) Hamilton; grandchildren, Cuoghi Edens, M.D. (Anthony Bernal), Sara (David) Bedy, Travis (Jamie) Edens, Christina (Keith) Jasin, Joey (Megan) Caratenuto, Vincent Hamilton and Patrick Hamilton; his adoring great-grands are Jack, Henry, Owen, Nora, Reece, Tristan and Brooks. VJ also leaves a niece, Connie Cuoghi; brother-in-law, Deacon David Lucchesi and wife Janet; and many friends he has made at his retirement community in Albuquerque, Bear Canyon.  Special thanks go to the incredibly kind nursing staff on 4 east at UNMH.  Many, many thanks also to Geri’s and VJ’s assistant and angel-on-earth, Roseann Padilla, without whom VJ could not have maintained his independent lifestyle.

Services will be held on Monday, June 7, 2021, 10:30 at FRENCH - Lomas. Everyone is encouraged to wear red, white and blue in honor of VJ’s military service.  In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to the Padre Pio foundation of america @padrepio.com or a charity of your choice.