Justin Arthur “Art” Cicconetti

Justin Arthur Cicconetti, age 90, of New Philadelphia, died peacefully Thursday morning, September 1, 2016 in Park Village Health Care Center at Dover.

Born November 20, 1925 at Dover, he was the youngest of ten children born to Italian immigrants, Giustino and Annunciata (Norcia) Cicconetti.

At the age of nine, Art spent the summer caddying at Union Country Club. That job as a youth would develop into a lifelong passion for the game of golf. After graduating from New Philadelphia in 1943, Art joined the Navy and fought in the pacific campaign during World War II. Art was sent to Japan in 1945 as a LTJG under the command of Douglas Macarthur. After the war, he was appointed to Naval Reserve Officers’ Training school, ROTC. During his training, he attended Illinois State Normal University, University of Notre Dame and graduated from The Ohio State University with a degree in Journalism.

From June 1949 to February 1950 Art served as the Daily Times Sports Editor and news reporter. In February of 1950, Art was called back to active duty, and served overseas during the Korean War where he earned the rank of Lieutenant. In October 1951, after returning from Korea, he went to work for the late Henry Hagloch, editor of the Dover Daily Reporter. He was employed by the Daily Reporter as the Sports Editor until 1956, when he left the journalism field to become a local insurance investigator for Equifax Co. of Atlanta. He retired in 1987 following 30 years of service with the firm.

In 1972, Art discovered a passion for public service which started with the campaign of Democrat, Lou Clark, for Tuscarawas County Sheriff. In 1976, he returned to the political scene launching a career in governmental affairs that would span two decades. His re-entry into politics began with the election of David Knisely as mayor. Knisely appointed Art as city Safety Director, a position he held for four years. In 1983, Art was appointed to New Philadelphia City Council as an at-large member for eight years.

While serving on City Council in the 1980’s, his other passions evolved. Art was a huge fan of recycling and received a state award for his efforts in 1990. Art briefly served as City Treasurer from January 1991 to May 1993. He returned to City Council in 1995 as a representative of Ward 3 until his retirement from public service. Throughout his lifetime, Art was an active member of the Tuscarawas County Democratic Party.

Through his efforts, he was recognized many times for various contributions to the city and was humbled to have had the city’s Council Chambers named in his honor. Art was also honored by the First Town Days Festival, as he was given the distinction of serving as First Town Days Parade Grand Marshall.

Art’s faith was nurtured at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, where he was actively involved for many years. He served on the Church Festival Committee and performed various duties as an usher and was an active participant of the “Breakfast Club”. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, the American-Italian Club, the Quaker Club, the New Philadelphia VFW and a founding member of the Italian-American Festival. As a lifelong Buckeye fan and alumnus, he was always proud of the fact that he had the opportunity to have been coached by Woody Hayes while at New Philadelphia.
Art is survived by many nieces and nephews. He will be remembered especially by his nephews, John A. Tarulli, Richard L. Tarulli and nieces, Judy A. (Stone) Shafer, Nancy G. (Tarulli) Rees and Christine Keller as well as numerous great-nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, Art was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Ruth, whom he shared in 37 years of marriage prior to her passing in 1993; two infant siblings, sisters, Lucy Cicconetti, Anna Donato, Mary Garay, Elaine Cicconetti, Jeanette Tarulli, Lillian Stone, and a brother Jerome “Chic” Cicconetti.

The family will greet guests on Tuesday, September 6, 2016 from 4-7 PM in the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory at New Philadelphia where a Christian Wake Service will begin at 6:45 PM. Father Jeff Coning will celebrate a Mass of Christian Burial on Wednesday, September 7, 2016 at 10:30 AM in Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Burial with military honors will follow in Calvary Cemetery at New Philadelphia. Following services a meal and fellowship will be shared in the Geib Family Center, adjacent to the New Philadelphia Funeral Home.

Memorial contributions in Art’s name may be directed to Sacred Heart Church, 139 Third Street NE, New Philadelphia, Ohio 44663.