Peter J. Cecilia Sr.

Peter J. Cecilia Sr. of New Hartford, passed away on Saturday, August 4, 2012 at the Masonic Care Community of NY, Rehabilitation Unit. Peter was the son of the late Neno “Nan” and Mary (Presite) Cecilia of Utica. He was educated locally graduating from Utica Free Academy. He joined the U.S. Coast Guard in 1947, graduating from the Coast Guard School of Pharmacy in Groton Connecticut. He was Honorably Discharged in 1950 as a Petty Officer First Class (medic). On July 7, 1956 he was married to Virginia B. Russo in St. Anthony of Padua Church. Peter worked for Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation and retired as a Distribution & Transmission Inspector after 35 years of service. He also was a member and past president of both IBEW Local 310 retirees and the Kilowatt Chasers. His memberships included: American Legion Post 1376 (New Hartford), Utica Art Association, Munson Williams Proctor Institute, Old Forge Art Association, Life & Charter member of the North American Hunting Club, the National Rifle Association and Mt. Arab Preserve Association. Peter was an avid hunter and fisherman. He enjoyed spending time with his family at his camp on Mt. Arab; especially sharing the sport of hunting with his brother in laws there, as well as hunting with his Niagara Mohawk friends in the Southern Tier. His friends from Niagara Mohawk will treasure the many fond times that they would bowl and golf with him. Peter was an accomplished artist specializing in painting and sculpture. His works have been exhibited extensively throughout New York State and are in many homes across the country. His artistry has been shown at the Munson Williams Proctor Institute, The Everson Museum, Syracuse, the Remsen Barn Festival, Riverside Mall, libraries in Utica, Rome and New Hartford and numerous area shows. His talent has earned widespread recognition including awards from the View (Adirondack Arts Center), Munson Williams Proctor Institute, Ava Dorfman Center (Rome NY) and SUNY IT. Peter also took great pride and pleasure in his flower gardens and landscaping. In 1995 he was awarded the Garden Of The Year award for his perennial and annuals from Oneida County Cooperative Extension. Peter is survived by his wife Ginny; his children, Robin Cecilia (Day) and her husband James, Christine Cecilia, and Commander Peter Cecilia Jr. (USN); his grandchildren, Jamie, and Michele Day, and Nicholas Cecilia; his sisters and brothers-in-law, Louise and Leonard Borruso, Eleanor and Edmund Dembowski, Deanna and John Segal, and Sandra and Sam Damico; his sisters-in-law, Lucy Daniels and Mary D’Onofrio; his brother-in-law, David Fleishman; and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. He was predeceased by his sisters and brother-in-law, Yolanda and Tony Cardone, and Pauline Fleishman; and in-laws Josephine and Edmund DeCarlo, Rocco D’Onofrio, and Daniel “Dan” Daniels, Jr. Special thanks to Dr. Sundershan Dang and all the doctors and caregivers of the Masonic Care Community Rehabilitation Unit who took such loving and considerate care of Peter. Visitation will be held on Tuesday from 4-7 at the Eannace Funeral Home, Inc., 932 South St., corner of Hammond Ave. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Masonic Care Community of NY or Disabled Veterans of America; envelopes will be available at the funeral home. Peter’s funeral service and Celebration of Life will be held on Wednesday morning at 9 a.m. from the funeral home and at 10:00 at St. Mary of Mt. Caramel/Blessed Sacrament Parish where his Mass of Christian Burial will be offered by Rev. James Cesta. Interment will follow in Calvary Cemetery with Military Honors.