David T. Cuff

David Truman (Trueman) Cuff

August 14, 1923 - November 14, 2024

One of the very greatest members of The Greatest Generation passed peacefully at age 101, surrounded in love by his family, on November 14, 2024.

David Cuff was born August 14, 1923, in Portage, WI, to George Edward Napoleon Cuff and Estelle Frances (Moss) Cuff. He was the youngest of five siblings who grew up on the family farmstead in Rio, WI, during The Great Depression. Among other things, Dave’s family raised turkeys for sale, and Dave delivered orders to customers from Portage to Madison in the family station wagon at age 12.

After graduation from Portage High School in 1941, Dave had ideas of becoming a doctor. But following Pearl Harbor, he joined his brothers, enlisting in the U.S. military. He was selected for the Army Air Corps to join the fledgling glider program  https://tinyurl.com/2017-Veterans-Story   Dave was stationed in Italy for the invasion of Sicily, in France for D-Day, and in Germany for the liberation of Buchenwald concentration camp. While in Europe, he met Constance Powell, a London native, and they married in March 1945.

After the war, the couple settled in Madison, and Dave returned to active service in 1949. He joined the Air National Guard https://tinyurl.com/2023-Veterans-Story  at Truax Field, where he was field maintenance supervisor for the 115th Fighter Wing. He retired as Senior Master Sergeant in 1983 after 38 years of dedicated service. Dave also served as president of the Truax Credit Union for many years.

Daughter Judy was born in 1952, and Dave’s wife Constance died in August 1970. Through a widow/widowers group, Dave met Mary (Hill) Bittorf in 1971, and they married in June 1973. Dave inherited five rambunctious young children, and he embraced that responsibility with selfless generosity and profound love.

Dave possessed quiet calm and deep philosophical bearing. His mechanical aptitude and handyman prowess were legendary. Dave could fix anything, from watches to jet aircraft. He was a lover of all four-legged creatures, nurturing myriad dogs and cats through his lifetime.   

Proudly cherishing his memory are his six children, Judy (John) Bintliff, Greenfield, WI; Dr. Steven Bittorf, DePere, WI; Elizabeth O’Leary, Stoughton, WI (Steven Lasco, Madison, WI); James Bittorf (Jacalyn Salloum), Green Bay, WI; Sara (David) Downie, Madison, WI; and Paul (Mary) Bittorf, Prairie du Sac, WI; Special niece Beverly Feltz (Ruth Oren); grandchildren Graham (Mandy) Bintliff, Victor Bittorf, Torin O’Leary (Wyatt Ramsey); Conlain Kelly (Mady Veith); Logan (Jordyn) O’Leary; Drew Downie; Eve Downie; Maia Smet; and numerous relatives, friends and associates.  

Dave was preceded in death by his wives Constance and Mary, parents, brothers Norman and Victor, and sisters Norma Wills and Dulcie Davis. 

The family extends sincere gratitude to Dave’s kind and loving caregivers, Sandy Loomis and Kris O’Neill; to the fantastic nurses, CNAs and staff from Agrace Hospice; and to staff from Visiting Angels. 

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday November 23, 2024 at CRESS FUNERAL HOME, 206 W. Prospect St. Stoughton. Visitation will be from 10:00 AM until the service at the funeral home on Saturday. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to:

 Dane County Humane Society https://www.giveshelter.org/ 

 Pets for Vets Madison https://petsforvets.com/madison  

and Custom Canines Madison  https://www.customcanines.org/

in honor of David T Cuff.

For those not able to attend in person, please register at the following link to view a copy of David’s service:

 https://event.forgetmenotceremonies.com/ceremony?c=0ad6035b-68b5-4cb1-ab97-7bafcbfe5f6a

Cress Funeral & Cremation Service

206 W. Prospect, P.O. Box 231, Stoughton

(608) 873-9244

Please share your memories at www.cressfuneralservice.com