Richard T. Cuddahee

Richard (Dick) Cuddahee, 85, of Winter Haven Florida, died May 14, 2017. He was the proud father of three and grandfather of six. He leaves a life devoted to family, faith, friends, and community. Dick grew up in St. Louis, Missouri. He had an incredible voice and was a paid singer in "Big-Band" clubs and events in St. Louis and the surrounding areas. He began performing at age five at the Muny Opera and recorded a record of him singing his favorite songs. Dick loved to build things and was a crane operator helping to build the Gateway Arch in St. Louis, MO in addition to other buildings in the region. He was a member of the local # 513 Hoisting and Portable International Union of Operating Engineers for 63 years. After moving to Winter Haven, FL he led his own business with Mountain Valley Water of Polk County for 38 years. He was an avid baseball fan and enjoyed watching Spring training games with his family whenever possible. He especially enjoyed watching the St. Louis Cardinals play. Dick took pride in supporting and helping with the needs of working men and women and was a life-long volunteer of the National and State Democratic Party. He served on the Executive Committee of the Polk County Democratic Party and was a delegate for the Florida Democratic Convention several times. He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 43 years, Kay Cuddahee; survived by his children Edward Cuddahee of Winter Haven, FL, Judy Cuddahee Nagy (Steven) of Tampa, FL and Jennifer C Colbert (Erick) of Orange Park, FL; grandchildren Maximillian Nagy of Bonita Springs, FL, Christopher, Catalina, Richard, Ashley and Caroline Colbert of Orange Park, FL; sister Kathleen Graves and her late husband David Graves of Charlotte, NC, nieces Anne Marie Graves of Charlotte, NC, Erin Graves of Arlington, VA ; nephews the late Mike Graves (Rita) of Clover, SC and Bob Graves of Arlington, VA. He also is survived by several Great Nieces and one Great Nephew. He is preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Rosemary Cuddahee. A visitation will be held on Friday, May 19, at 6:00 pm with a rosary at 7:30 pm at Oak Ridge Funeral Care, Winter Haven, FL. His life will be celebrated at a funeral mass on Saturday, May 20, at 1:00 pm at the chapel of St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Winter Haven FL, with Rev. Joseph Duy N. Nguyen officiating. Interment will follow at Rolling Hills Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be directed to The Fisher House. Fisher House Foundation, Inc. is an international not-for-profit organization established to improve the quality of life for members of the military, retirees, Veterans and their families. Please use the following link for donations (http://fhf.convio.net/goto/DickCuddahee).