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Joseph Cugini, a 41-year executive leader, is being remembered by the Cooperative Credit Union Association for tirelessly advancing the credit union movement on the local, national and global stages.
Cugini, 89, passed away on June 16.
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In addition to working as president/CEO and board chair of the $303 million Westerly Community Credit Union in Westerly, R.I., for more than four decades, Cugini held leadership positions on numerous boards, such as the former Rhode Island Credit Union League, the Rhode Island Corporate Credit Union, CUNA and CUES, and was inducted into the CUES Hall of Fame in 2000. He also served on the boards of directors for U.S. Central Credit Union and was a member of the Federal Reserve Consumer Advisory Council.
Cugini also advanced the credit union movement internationally, visiting more than 27 countries to promote the cooperative concepts and principles to government officials. According to CCUA, his leadership led to the USAID, the World Bank, and the International Monetary Fund to become more involved with the World Council of Credit Unions in Madison, Wis.
In 2003, Cugini received the WOCCU Distinguished Service Award in acknowledgement of his work in reshaping the organization's board of directors to include more international representation, CCUA said.
"Our credit union community has lost a leader who cared deeply for his credit union, his community, and the credit unions of the world and strengthened the movement through his actions," CCUA President/CEO Ron McLean said.
One of Cugini's proudest accomplishments was establishing the WCCU Holiday Basketball Tournament, which began in 1984 and brings together local school communities to raise funds for their athletic booster organizations. The credit union is the sole sponsor of the Holiday Basketball Tournament, underwriting all of its expenses.
The CCUA suggests donations in Cugini's memory may be made to the Joseph N. Cugini WCCU Holiday Basketball Tournament Fund through WCCU Cares or to the Westerly Hospital Foundation.
He is survived by his wife, Betty, their children Betty-Jo and David, and three grandchildren.
Arrangements were handled by the Gaffney-Dolan Funeral Home in Westerly.
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Peter Strozniak
Credit Union Times reporter covering credit union operations, fraud, M&As, leagues, business continuity, and breaking news.
