Giuseppe Cozzubbo passed into Heaven peacefully at the age of 82 on Tuesday, July 20, 2021. He was born on May 24, 1939 in Paterno, Sicily, Provicia Catania. In Giuseppe's early years he lived under very poor conditions during WWII. The stories he would tell described having dirt floors and no food for days on end which was when he contracted Tuberculosis at the age of 3. Giuseppe lost his mother at 16 and in 1956 when he was 17, leaving behind his 2 sisters, he came to the United States on a naturalized citizenship with his father, Staff Sergeant Carmello Cozzubbo of the United States Army.
When he arrived in Alston, MA he was forced to learn many things to navigate a new home. He even attended night school to learn English. At the age of 20, while working at a family friend's grocery store he met the owners granddaughter who later became his wife.
In 1959 they moved to Allentown, PA where his 3 daughters were born. The masonry skills he learned in Sicily lead him to the Laborers Union Local 1174. He worked on skyscrapers in New York and even contributed to the demolition and reconstruction of the Lehigh County Prison in Allentown. In 1978, he narrowly survived a 38 foot fall while working on that project. Due to his injuries, he was forced into an early retirement.
Giuseppe lived a very full life. He enjoyed bike racing in Sicily as a young man where he won many awards. As he got older, he pursued his love for the sport of boxing which lead him to train and fight as a heavyweight for 3 years. He later helped young boxers follow their dreams as well. For many years, he raised and trained AKC registered German Shepherds. He was a member of the Young Men's Social Club and the Italian Social Club where he loved going dancing every weekend and playing on their soccer team. He enjoyed cooking big dinners for his family and spending time with his grandchildren. Giuseppe was known by many for his big heart and opening his home to many who needed it over the years; no one he knew ever went without.
He was preceded in death by his beloved mother and father, Tanina (Guitana) and Carmello Cozzubbo and 2 older sisters, Nancy and Phyllis. He is survived by his daughters, Antoinette Culp of Allentown, Camille Cozzubbo of Bethlehem and Jodi Lopez of Bethlehem. He greatly missed his family in Italy. He loved and celebrated his grandchildren Thomas Goffredo and wife Kirsten of Allentown, Miguel Reyes and wife Mallory of Bethlehem, Jason Culp Jr of Allentown, Jonathan Culp of Allentown, Joel Lopez and wife Lauren of Bethlehem and Alysia Ramos and husband Enrique of Bethlehem. He cherished his great grandchildren Isabella, Camille, Gabriel, Gionni, Bronx, Julian, Aulani, Amari, Ryder, Selena, Winry, Zayvion and Aviana. He is loved & adored and will be dearly missed.
Services will be held Saturday, July 24, 2021, Viewing 10:00am – 11:30am at Weber Funeral Home 502 Ridge Avenue Allentown, PA followed by Funeral Mass at 12:00pm at Immaculate Conception Church 501 Ridge Avenue Allentown, PA; interment will take place at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Cemetery, Whitehall, PA
