Daniel Osvaldo Cuenya was a man of many talents, a civil engineer, a builder, a business owner, and a devout Catholic. He was born on April 2, 1948, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, where he earned a Civil Engineering degree in 1972 from the Universidad de Buenos Aires. Daniel began his engineering career by working with his father at Cuenya Construction in Argentina. He worked on major projects worldwide, including a “turn-key Hospital” in Abidjan, 1500-unit housing development, the 53-kilometer aqua-duct, the 28-story “Guemes’ Hospital,” the 6-story, 60,000-seat World Cup Soccer Stadium, and the 20-story Sheraton Hotel and Park Towers.
In 1998, Daniel moved to the United States and continued his career in construction while pursuing the American dream. He received his Master of Civil Engineering degree in the United States in 1999 and became a Florida Certified General Contractor License. Since then, he had taken numerous Corporate, Academic, and Florida State Courses in Construction and Engineering. In August 2003, he founded Cuenya Construction Company and became the President, CEO, and 100% owner, handling commercial & residential buildings, professional offices, retail stores, high-end custom homes, remodeling, and additions.
Daniel was also an entrepreneur and opened Smart Buy Kitchen of SWFL in January 2006. He served as President and 100% Owner, providing 100% Wood Cabinets with Granite Counter Top Fabrication, three lines of wood cabinets, and built-ins with exceptional value.
Apart from his successful professional life, Daniel was a devoted Catholic and served the Naples community for over 30 years. He was a member of the “Legatus Chapter” in Naples, serving as Vice President and Membership Director. He was also a professed “Carmelite” and a Eucharistic Minister at St. William Church in Naples.
Daniel’s love for his community extended beyond his church. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus and served as Grand Knight. He had a unique way of building his clients into his friends. His work was his passion, and he worked tirelessly to build the Naples community.
Daniel met the love of his life, Lizabeth Cuenya and they were married on January 6, 2000. Daniel loved the water and was an avid sailor, enjoyed shopping at Costco, and loved spending time with his family and friends. His favorite place to be was serving God.
Daniel Osvaldo Cuenya passed away on August 8, 2019, at the age of 71. He is survived by his wife, Lizabeth Cuenya and his seven children, ten grandchildren, his sister, and numerous friends.
The Naples community lost a remarkable man, a builder who built not just structures but relationships. Daniel’s work and contributions to the community were invaluable. His legacy lives on in the numerous structures he built, the people he touched, and the community he helped build.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Sinsinawa Dominicans (586 County Road Z, Sinsinawa, Wisconsin 53824). The funeral was held on Monday, August 12, 2019, at St. William Catholic Church, with a visitation from 1 pm-2 pm, followed by Mass at 2 pm. As Fr., Bede Jarrett, O.P., once said, “What is Yours is ours also if we are Yours.