Pfc. Paul O. Cuzzupe, 23, of Plant City, Fla., died Aug. 8 in Akhtar-Mohammad-Khan, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when insurgents attacked his unit using an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the 3rd Squadron, 2nd Stryker Calvary Regiment, Vilseck, Germany. Paul was preceded in death by his father, Paul O. Cuzzupe Sr. and grandfather, Anthony Cuzzupe, as well as step-grandfather Anthony Volpe. He is survived by his mother, Annette Cuzzupe-Kirk and stepfather, Michael Kirk of Seffner; brothers, Anthony Cuzzupe II of Burlington, NJ and David Cuzzupe III of Seffner; sister, Alexis Kirk of Seffner; half-sister, Julia Cuzzupe-Barnett of Tampico, IN; step-brother, Troy Kirk of Lititz, PA; maternal grandparents, David and Judy Allard of Plant City; paternal grandmother, Barbara Volpe of Burlington NJ; girlfriend, Stephanie LePochat of Seffner; step-mother, Alicia Cuzzupe of New Holland, PA and an extended loving family and many friends.∼Pfc. Paul Cuzzup II, 23, died August 8, 2010, of injuries sustained in Afghan-istan, while serving his country. Paul served proudly as a Combat Medic in the United States Army. He enlisted in March 2009, and left for basic Training to Fort Sill, Okla., in July 2009. Paul then went on to Advanced Training (Combat Medic) at Fort Sam Huston, Texas, and was later assigned to G Company, 3rd Squadron, 2nd Stryker Calvary Regiment, in Vilseck, Germany. Paul was a 2005 graduate of Armwood High School, where he was in the National Honor Society and in the top 20 percent of his class. Paul attended St. Leo University from 2005-2009 majoring in History, with a minor in Political Science. Paul always said that music was the love of his life and was a talented musician and guitarist that started with the Youth Group Band "Just Cause" at St. Francis of Assisi. He continued his efforts forming the music bands Fall-N-Grace, The Seed, Side-B, The Flawless Effect, and Just Three. Some of his music and videos can be heard on www.paulcuzzupemusic.com. Paul was preceded in death by his father, Paul O. Cuzzupe Sr., and grandfather, Anthony Cuzzupe, as well as step-grandfather, Anthony Volpe. He is survived by his mother, Annette Cuzzupe-Kirk and stepfather, Michael Kirk of Seffner, Fla.; brothers, Anthony Cuzzupe II of Burlington, N.J., and David Cuzzupe III of Seffner; sister, Alexis Kirk of Seffner; half-sister, Julia Cuzzupe-Barnett of Tampico, Ind.; step-brother, Troy Kirk of Lititz, Pa.; maternal grandparents, David and Judy Allard of Plant City, Fla.; paternal grandmother, Barbara Volpe of Burlington, N.J.; girlfriend, Stephanie LePochat of Seffner; step-mother, Alicia Cuzzupe of New Holland, Pa.; and an extended loving family and many friends. Paul was very much loved and will be greatly missed by all who knew him. Visitation will take place 6-9 p.m. with a Rosary at 8 p.m. Friday August 20, 2010, from the Legion of Mary, at Hillsboro Memorial Funeral Home, 2323 W. Brandon Blvd., Brandon, FL 33511. A funeral service will take place 10 a.m. Saturday August 21, 2010, at St. Francis of Assisi' s Catholic Church, 4450 CR579, Seffner, FL 33584. Mass will be celebrated by the Fr. Michael O' Neill. Interment will immediately follow at Hillsboro Memorial Gardens, where full military honors will be rendered. A memorial Mass will take place at 11 a.m. September 8, 2010, at St. Paul' s Catholic Church in Burlington, N.J. Saint Stephens Catholic Church in Valrico, Fla., will also host a memorial Mass, the date and time will be announced. In lieu of flowers, the family request memorial contributions be made in Paul' s honor to the Fisher House at www.fisherhouse.org. Condolences may be offered at www.hillsboromemorial.com and www.mem.com
Published in TBO.com on August 17, 2010 23 yers.old