04/11/2026
Happy Opening Day to the Suffern Little League! Courtesy of Hudson River Valley Heritage Historical Newspapers, here is an August 4, 1955 article in the Ramapo Valley Independent about the donation and dedication of Cucolo Field in memory of Andreana Cucolo, by her husband Anthony Cucolo, Sr.
Sidelines on Sports
by Dick Welsh
ANDREANA CUCOLO DAY
"By the time the moon has ascended in the easter sky Saturday evening, the festivities transpired during the memorable day will make Saturday, August 6, 1955 page itself as the greatest single day the kids of the Ramapo Township were ever blessed with.
I surely think that by the time the Yankees and Giants have completed their ball game there will be some pretty tired youths heading straight for bed. Presuming the heat will be unbearable, sleep won't come for quite some time. During the restless minutes I feel every Little League will make use of the time to say a prayer for Andreana Cucolo. The name is probably unfamiliar to the small fry and I imagine Little Leaguers never knew her.
The most important part of the day will be the fact that a projected Little League Stadium will have shed its wrappings and become the real thing. The motivating force behind this will be clouded in the joy of a real ballfield to play in and the thrill of being honored in so many ways.
That's just the way Mr. Anthony A. Cucolo Sr. wants it. The green monster at the south end of the Athletic Field in Suffern, an unexplored territory of the youths and still a mysterious thing of the future, (two days being a great length of anticipating time) will be theirs. That's how Mr. Cucolo wants it.
That ball park and all the wonderful experiences it holds in store, is his gift to you kids, always try to make him proud of you.
How impressive the ceremonies may be, how great a guest personality may become your friend that day, is very wonderful for you. Do not, though, let these things detract from the best friend you, as a group, have, Anthony A. Cucolo Sr. Remember also that Mr. Cucolo is donating your field in memory of his late wife, and above all he wants you to perform nobly in her name.
Your friend is a wealthy man. Time and time again he has spread his good fortune so that his community would be a better one. He could well have performed his good works in other fields. Yet he chose you to share in this act of kindness.
In doing so he directly declared your organization as a sound one, and you as the type of boys he is proud to be able to give a lift.
How your reputations as ball players and young citizens came to Mr. Cucolo's attention is untraceable.
His faith that you will carry on in a similar manner is flattering.
The debt owed to your friend is not the kind that can be repaid. That's the way Mr. Cucolo wants it.
During the course of the long day, I am sure every one of the 200-plus Little Leaguers will personally be moved to approach his friend and express his feelings. By all means do so, don't be timid.
Your friend, Mr. Cucolo will be pleased to know you by name, he already knows you by reputation.
His knowledge of you is all good. 'The Little Miracle of Cucolo's Park' expresses his feelings."
