ALCOAST 014/26 - JAN 2026 DEATH OF A RETIRED FLAG OFFICER

R 141608Z JAN 26   MID320018469671U
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC
TO ALCOAST
BT
UNCLAS
ALCOAST 014/26
SSIC 5060
SUBJ: DEATH OF A RETIRED FLAG OFFICER
1. It is with great sadness that I announce the death of Rear
Admiral Richard P. Cueroni, USCG (retired), who passed away on
Monday, 13 October 2025, in Atlantic Beach, Florida, at the age of
95.
2. RADM Cueroni was born 01 February 1930, in Framingham,
Massachusetts. He was a 1953 graduate of the U.S. Coast Guard
Academy, New London, Connecticut. He was also a 1965 graduate of the
Armed Forces Staff College and a 1976 Distinguished Graduate of the
Industrial College of the Armed Forces.
3. Admiral Cueroni began his distinguished career as a deck watch
officer and student engineer aboard the Cutter Yakutat in the North
Atlantic. He went on to serve as the first commanding officer of
Cutters 95315 and Cape Starr out of New London, Connecticut, and
later as Executive Officer of the Cutter Bittersweet in Kodiak,
Alaska. Admiral Cueroni returned to the Coast Guard Academy as a
Company Officer and Assistant Football Coach before serving as
liaison officer to the Haitian Coast Guard in Port-au-Prince. He
continued his career as Executive Officer of the Cutter Owasco, and
after graduating from the Armed Forces Staff College, held several
important staff roles in San Francisco, including Search and Rescue
Officer and Assistant Chief of Operations. He was the first
commanding officer of the Cutter Dependable in Panama City, Florida,
and later served at Headquarters as Assistant Chief of the
Operations Intelligence Staff and as Special Assistant and
Administrative Assistant to the Commandant. Admiral Cueroni attended
the Industrial College of the Armed Forces and, upon graduation,
became the first commanding officer of the icebreaker Polar Sea in
Seattle, Washington. He later served as Chief of Operations for the
Thirteenth Coast Guard District and Chief of Staff for the Third
Coast Guard District in New York. Admiral Cueroni was selected for
flag in 1980, and his flag officer assignments include Chief, Office
of Personnel at Coast Guard Headquarters; Commander, Seventh Coast
Guard District in Miami, Florida; and Superintendent, United States
Coast Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut.
4. RADM Cueroni retired from the Coast Guard in 1989.
5. RADM Cueroni was predeceased by his wife of almost 67 years, Beth
Cueroni. He is survived by his five children Robin (Mrs. Walter
Hanson), Nancy Cueroni, Donna Cueroni, Cheryl (Mrs. Carl Comasco)
and Richard Jr. In addition to the children, he leaves six
grandchildren and spouses, Emily (Hanson) Deal and Matt; LCDR David
Hanson, USN; Andrew Hanson and fiancée Stephanie; CDR Carl J.
Comasco Jr, USNR and Victoria; Vincent Comasco and Dr. Lauren
Cameron Comasco; Michael Comasco and Kristen; and nine great
grandchildren.
6. RADM Cueroni will be inurned at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy
Columbarium. Funeral service information and half-mast instructions
will be sent via separate message.
7. RADM Cueroni's full obituary can be found at:
(Copy and Paste URL Below into Browser)

https://www.quinn-shalz.com/obituaries/richard-cueroni

8. RDML Zeita Merchant, Assistant Commandant for Workforce
Management (CG-WM), sends.
9. Internet release is authorized.