Nicholas Joseph Cua

Nicholas Joseph “Nick” Cua, 87, a longtime resident of New Philadelphia, died peacefully early Wednesday, November 26, 2003, in Park Village Health Care Center, Dover. Born in Dover on June 23, 1916, he was a son of the late Ralph Frank Cua and Carmella DePaula Cua. Ralph had emigrated from the village of Stefanconi in the Providence of Vibo Valencia in Italy; Carmella had emigrated from the village of Callabria in the Providence of Catanzaro. They crossed the Atlantic together, passed through Ellis Island, and settled in Canal Dover prior to the birth of their son Nicholas. Nick attended Dover Schools before going to work as an Electric Bridge Crane Operator. Mr. Cua joined the United States Army in March 1945, and served as a military policeman stateside at various Army locations before his discharge May 31, 1946.Following his military service, Mr. Cua worked more than a decade in the Reeves Mill before going to work for Marsh Chalkboard. Upon his retirement from Marsh, he joined his wife and daughter in the operation of the former Chatterbox restaurant in downtown New Philadelphia. Later he was co-owner of the former Heritage Gift Shop with his daughter and son-in-law for a number of years. In his retirement, Nick loved the outdoors, especially hunting squirrel and rabbit. He regularly fished at Clendenning Lake. He and his wife also belonged to dancing and card clubs. Nick was a member of Sacred Heart Church, a former member of the Benevolent & Protective Order of Elks, Lodge # 510, New Philadelphia, a former member of the Loyal Order of Moose, New Philadelphia, and a past member of the former Schoenbrunn Grange.Nick is now in a better place with his wife of fifty-one years who preceded him in death, the late Katheryn “Kay” Caldwell Cua, whom he married February 16, 1941. Kay died April 19, 1992.Together they raised a family that included two daughters, Carolyn (Bob) Vaughn and Cheryl (Harry) Dotts, all of New Philadelphia; two sons, John “Butch” (Colleen “Corky”) Cua of Durham, S.C., and Mike (Gloria) Cua, also of New Philadelphia.Nick leaves behind granddaughters Susan Creager, Kim Nay, Wendy Minard, Shelly Barnes, and Kelly Cua; as well as grandsons Burt and Michael Dotts and Kevin, Keith and Eric Cua; twelve great-grandchildren, two sisters, Mary and Catherine, and a brother, Louie Cua. In addition to his parents and wife, he is preceded in death by a sister, Vicky; and two brothers, Dominick, and Ralph. Friends are invited to call Friday from 4 until 7 PM at the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory, New Philadelphia. Msgr. George J. Schlegel will officiate a Funeral Mass Saturday Morning, November 29, 2003 at 10:30 AM in Sacred Heart Church. Burial will follow in East Avenue Cemetery with Dover V.F.W. Post 3463 rendering military graveside honors.Memorial Contributions may be made to Sacred Heart Church, 139 Third Street NE, New Philadelphia OH 44663.