Condolence From: Lance Weiglein
Condolence: The best word I can use to describe Coach Cecere is Charisma - A divinely conferred power or talent. There is only one and he will be missed.
Tuesday September 24, 2019
Condolence From: Donald Cook
Condolence: Lyn and Family...We never met, but nonetheless I feel your pain because of the void I know you are in the midst of. I lost both my wife and son within five years of one another. I understand loss. Your husband, Dom and I go back to grammar school at St Catherine's in Pelham. As youth we played a lot of baseball together. Not a surprise to anyone who knew us that we'd both wind up in the same profession. While Dom chose and excelled taking the high school coaching/athletics director route, I coached baseball, as well worked as an athletics director at 3 Connecticut colleges (52 years). Over the years we kept in touch. He always promoted and supported his players. A player of Dom's I had the opportunity to coach was Chris Tiso who attended Fairfield University after an outstanding career pitching for Dom in the late 70's. Chris loved Dom as I'm sure you know. God blessed Dom with great communication skills. When he spoke people listened. He real and credible. He always had a down to earth message. He spoke from the heart. It doesn't get better than that! While our paths crossed infrequently over six-plus decades, I nonetheless feel the loss of a great man and life-long friend. God bless you Lyn, and all those who share in your loss. Count me among them!
Tuesday April 18, 2017
Condolence From: Brian Bochow
Condolence: To The Cecere Family,
I was truly saddened to learn of Dom's passing. He was a good friend, a great coach, and an even finer human
being. May you find comfort and inspiration in knowing
how much good he brought to so many.
Tuesday April 11, 2017
Condolence From: Patty Ferri Cummings
Condolence: To Lynn and family my heartfelt condolences. Coach Cecere held a very special place in my heart. In 1970 my Dad passed away while I was at EHS. Coach came to my class to comfort me and brought me home to my family. Not only was he my gymnastics coach but he is the true meaning of a great person. Having recently lost Jerry, my memories of the Coach teaching both him and my sons the game of baseball, but more importantly the fundamentals of respect. Rest in Peace Coach.
Thursday April 06, 2017
Condolence From: Margie Rossi Pavarini
Condolence: My deepest condolences to Lyn and the Cecere family. The memories of my years as Coach's assistant in the Phys. Ed. Office are filled with some of the best times of my life. To me and so many others he was an inspiration and a true hero. An outstanding coach who also taught life lessons and gave selflessly to all. One of a kind, his memory will live on forever. I grieve for this tremendous loss but am grateful to be a part of his history. With love, Margie
Wednesday April 05, 2017
Condolence From: Hank Fellows
Condolence: Dear Mrs. Cecere and Family, thank you very much for sharing Coach Cecere with us. Coach Cecere was a mentor and friend to all of us at EHS, including both athletes and non-athletes. He encouraged all of us to be successful in our personal and professional lives. Coach Cecere is the epitome of "paying it forward." He taught all of us to help younger people, just as he helped and guided younger people for more than five decades. May Coach Cecere rest in peace.
Wednesday April 05, 2017
Condolence From: vINNIE & dONNA gIAQUINTO
Condolence: Individuals like Coach enter one’s life very rarely. He took equal interest in all his players whether you were a starter or sub. Everyone was special. He had that quality to make you better than even you thought you were and showed you how to be a winner on and off the field. It was a privilege to have known and played for him.
Eastchester loses an MVP but God gains an All-Star. Coach, you will be missed but you will forever shine in the EHS Hall of Fame.
Sincerest condolences to the Cecere family.
Vinnie & Donna Giaquinto
Team ’65 & ‘66
Wednesday April 05, 2017
Condolence From: Bob "Flick" Chambers
Condolence: I was not gifted enough to qualify for any of the sports teams but throughout my time at Eastchester High School Coach Cecere was always a friend to me. He always had kind words and took a genuine interest in what I did and what I thought. For a short time in 1970 the school had a radio station and in the mid 1980s I found an audio tape that a fellow student had made when the baseball team went to Puerto Rico and upon returning to Kennedy Airport he interviewed the players and Coach Cecere for the station. I sent Coach a copy of the tape and today it is one of my prized possessions. Rest in peace Coach and thank you for being my friend.
Tuesday April 04, 2017
Condolence From: Donna Pirro
Condolence: To the Cecere Family,
How proud you must be to have had this wonderful man in your lives, thank you so very much for sharing him with all of us.
Coach C lives in all who has ever played, been taught or even simply encountered him. An amazing individual, God Bless him and all his family with the same peace, comfort and joy he brought to the world.
Deepest Sympathy,
Donna
Tuesday April 04, 2017
Condolence From: Beth Wallach
Condolence: To the Cecere Family:
Please accept my sincere condolences on the loss of Coach Cecere. My husband, Evan, played third base on Coach's varsity team, class of '72. He always had the utmost respect for him, and his admiration for Coach never wavered.
Evan and I were high school sweethearts, and 40-plus years we're still together. Coach was there at the beginning of our romance, and although I didn't have the same kind of contact with him as Evan did, I knew my future husband was being guided by a man with a remarkable work ethic, a positive attitude about life and a generous heart.
Dom has left a beautiful legacy, first and foremost his family, and all the lives he so graciously touched. I will always remember Coach as that dazzlingly handsome hometown hero who helped mold young men, my husband included, into fine men of integrity. May he Rest In Peace, and may you, his family, find comfort and strength in his beloved memory.
Kindest regards,
Beth
Tuesday April 04, 2017
Condolence From: Jon Hopper
Condolence: "A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives." - Jackie Robinson
Coach's life was important and specifically, because of the impact his life had on others. The stories I've read over the last two days have brought tears and laughter. He will be admired, cherished and missed dearly.
To the Cecere family,
My sincere condolences and deepest sympathies. May you find some solace in knowing that a part of him is with every person who ever met him. For the students at EHS, he was EHS and the day we graduated, he simply became our friend. R.I.P. Coach and thank you for everything.
Tuesday April 04, 2017
Condolence From: Lucille and Phil Capece
Condolence: To the Cecere family,
Sorry to hear about the passing of Coach Cecere. Thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.
Phil and Lucille
Monday April 03, 2017
Condolence From: Nicole Ciafone Shryock
Condolence: Dear Mrs. Cecere and Family,
Please accept my heartfelt condolences. There are no words to adequately describe how much Coach meant to me and his impact on so many of us.
As Ralph Waldo Emerson stated, "To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty; to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition; to know that even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded."
Coach more than succeeded; he taught others how to. Never was there a man of greater integrity, class, humor and compassion who was respected by each and every person who ever met him. Thank you for sharing him with us all of these years.
Monday April 03, 2017
Condolence From: Terri Malits
Condolence: To The Cecere Family,
I am so sorry for your loss, he was an amazing man, and will be missed by so many. He was inspiring, kind, funny and truly cared about the community, the students, and his family. I am keeping you all in my thoughts and prayers, may he rest in peace. God bless.
Monday April 03, 2017
Condolence From: Tom and Diane Puccini
Condolence: Our heartfelt condolences and prayers go out to Mrs. Lyn Cecere and the entire Cecere family. We are deeply saddened by Coach's passing. He was the epitome of class and integrity, loved and respected by all. He was dedicated to mentoring and caring for so many students, inspiring all those he touched. He spent numerous hours teaching us how to "win" in life. When talking to Coach it was always about you, never about him. He was a true "All-Star" on and off the field. Mrs. Cecere, thank You for allowing Coach to devote so much of his time and energy to us. We will never forget.
I personally feel blessed and very fortunate to have had the privilege to know and play for Coach. He gave me an opportunity that truly impacted my life. He also was the first to welcome Diane when she began her teaching career in the district. That was Coach. EHS and the entire community have lost an extraordinary man. Coach's legacy, his memory, his influence, however, will never be lost.
Monday April 03, 2017
Condolence From: Buddy Caruso
Condolence: Sincere condolences to the entire Cecere family. Coach Dom was loved by all and he will be greatly missed.
Rest in Peace Coach!
Monday April 03, 2017
Condolence From: STAN KOCZKA
Condolence: Coach Dom Cecere changed many lives, young and old for the better. Mine was one of them. He taught me what teaching/coaching was all about. I remember many stories but will always remember his JOKES that he delivered perfectly. He will be missed by me always. Heartfelt wishes to Lyn and the boys. They say that if you leave a footprint when you leave you have done OK. Dom left millions of footprints with all he touched.
Monday April 03, 2017
Condolence From: Frank Dadabo
Condolence: Dear Cecere Family,
I would like to send my condolences to all of you at this most difficult time.
It was when I was in high school that I played for Coach and figured out the right way to act and grow as an athlete and as a man. He led me in the right direction which paved the way for me to be the person that I am today. I turned to Coach for advice when I was on the varsity team in the early 90's after my parents went through a divorce. He acted as my "father" figure and always knew what to say and the most opportune time. There was never a time that he wasn't there for me, ever.
I am so thankful that we got to speak just a few months ago in town and he gave my daughter (5) and son (1) and hi five at a local store. I remember him always giving me the confidence that I needed to strive for more and more.
With that being said, I would like to say that he'll stay embedded in my fondest baseball/life memories forever. I look forward to instilling the values I learned from him, down to both of my children as they grow older.
Love,
Frank Dadabo
Class of 1993
Monday April 03, 2017
Condolence From: Cliff Heide
Condolence: When I entered a conference room for a 40 year EHS reunion, I was greeted by a person who looked me in the eye and firmly shook my hand. I didn’t recognize him and asked who he was. His response, “Coach Cecere” – I thought he was a classmate (he looked so good). He remembered my name, details of my adolescent life, and asked me about my interests and family. Coach had the uncanny ability to make a personal connection with all who knew him. He was older, but still possessed the same character: empathy, humor, loyalty, and kindness. Dom can be succinctly described as a man who was loved by all that knew him.
Monday April 03, 2017
Condolence From: Cliff Scaggs
Condolence: For those of us who knew Dom,he is at the top of the list of good and solid people. I will remember him as a man who truly lived life to the fullest. Boy did he love to hear and, of course, TELL a great joke! How to field a ball, swing a bat, throw a pitch,...it was the life lessons he imparted around those activities that defined the man and will be his legacy. Our town was blessed to have him all these years and will never be the same without this truly irreplaceable man. My deepest sympathies to his family, friends, colleagues and players.
Monday April 03, 2017
Condolence From: Karen Gizzo-Campanile
Condolence: Mrs. Cecere and Family,
I want to thank you and your family for sharing such a wonderful soul with our community and our families. You know more than anyone how we all feel about Coach. He was a part of us but could never do that unless he had the support of his family. For that, we are forever grateful.
God Bless. May Coach Sleep in Peace.
Monday April 03, 2017
Condolence From: Joe and Kathy Leone
Condolence: Dear Mrs. C and family, Joe and I are so very sadden and sorry for your loss. We will continue to keep you all in our thoughts and prayers. Coach was a wonderful...man, friend, teacher, and mentor (the list could go on and on) to the entire Eastchester communnity. He will surely be missed by ALL.
Joe and Kathy
Monday April 03, 2017
Condolence From: Paul, Tonia & Francesca
Condolence: It goes without saying that everyone loved Coach, but we had the added bonus of living next door to him and he loved being outside keeping busy. No sooner would I walk out my back door, would I hear, 'Hey Paulie!' and that started my daily ritual of talking about life, work, my daughter, Lake George, food, wine, did he have enough firewood for the winter, the list goes on. Then came the afternoon, he'd see me out back and I'd hear from across the year and fence that separated us, 'How about some wine?', and of course, 'Sure Coach, be right there!' and the conversation continued for another hour or so, baseball, NYU, a few jokes, his grass, the yard, etc. His passing leaves a huge void in all of our lives, I will miss seeing him nearly every day. We love you, Coach!
Monday April 03, 2017
Condolence From: Michael Capecci
Condolence: I was vary sad after hearing this news this past weekend. To Butch and the entire Cecere family I extend my sincere condolences and I am so sorry for your loss. I was not an athlete at EHS but you didn’t have to be one to understand the life lessons that Coach C was continually instilling in all of us, simply, by leading by example. As such, his lessons have touched generations beyond those who may have never stepped foot on a baseball diamond, ever lived in our small town, and never even knew him. This is his greatest legacy.
Monday April 03, 2017
Condolence From: Ray N Fredrick
Condolence: My deepest and sincerest condolence to the Cecere family. Coach is a great, great man and his legacy lives on through all of us that he has touched. May his soul rest in peace.
Monday April 03, 2017
Condolence From: J.R. Bergman
Condolence: Coach dom was a class act to all that new him, the eastchester commuinty was blessed with a man who gave so much to the people who's life's he touched.. Rest in peace coach dom.
Sunday April 02, 2017
Condolence From: Barry Seltzer
Condolence: Coach Cecere will be dearly missed. He was more than a coach, more than a role model. He was literally the "heart and soul" of the Eastchester Schools for over half a century. His memory will live on in the generations of students whose lives he touched and whose character he molded.
May he rest in peace.
Barry Seltzer
Sunday April 02, 2017
Condolence From: Bob and Cathy Puccini
Condolence: Our most sincere condolences to the entire Cecere family and "all" that loved "Coach." It is quite impossible to communicate the breadth and depth of one man's impact on so many over so many years; athlete or not.
"Coach" was the epitome of what it truly means to be a "servant leader." Regardless of "Coach's" own situation, challenges, etc., he always made "it" about "you," "your" family, "your" situation/challenges. Having known Coach since the late 1960's, I can say that was how it was when I was a student/athlete and as I knew him to be through my adult life.
As a student, outside my family, Coach Cecere was the most influential person in my life. Like many of us who were blessed to know him, he brought out the very best in each of us as individuals, as a team and as a community. His reach and impact goes far beyond athletics and academics; he taught us all how to live: "Class," on and off the field, dignity, pride, and accountability to oneself and one's teammates and community; "Life lessons" we can all recall and "live" today in his honor. May God Bless his soul and welcome him to eternal peace and bless Mrs. Cecere, his family and all who grieve his passing.
Sunday April 02, 2017
Condolence From: Connie Landi Mayes, Maria Landi Pesick, Peter Landi
Condolence: To the Cecere Family:
Our deepest condolences to Lyn & his family. Coach Cecere was a wonderful, caring person, who mentored & coached many at Eastchester High. I (Connie) was so glad to see him at my 40th High School Reunion.
May you find comfort in your many special memories and the happy years you shared.
We will miss you, Coach.
Connie, Maria, & Peter
Sunday April 02, 2017
Condolence From: Mike LaSusa
Condolence: Prayers, sympathies, love, and deep gratitude to Mrs. Lyn Cecere and the entire Cecere family, all of whom made it possible for Coach to have an outsized and extraordinary impact on all of those who were privileged enough to fall under his tutelage. I do not know where I would be in life now if not for Coach Cecere, but I know I would not be where I am. He was a loving, uncompromising role model who provided all of us "spoiled suburban brats" of the 80s and 90s with a touch of the Greatest Generation. Coach has been with me since my high school days and will be with me until the day I die.
Sunday April 02, 2017
Condolence From: Joe Demealo
Condolence: To a great coach and mentor, god has a special man with him, our condolences to the Cecere family, you will be missed, thanks coach for being you..
Sunday April 02, 2017
Condolence From: Evan Wallach
Condolence: I was very saddened to hear about Coach's passing. He had a very positive impact on everyone who was lucky to have crossed his path. I had the great fortune to have played three years of baseball under his coaching and I have to say they were some of the best athletic moments of my life. But the games were only one aspect of playing ball for Dom. He exemplified something bigger to all of us. When we put on the EHS baseball uniform, Coach had this magical way of making everyone of us feel like we were playing for the New York Yankees. It was an air of "Class" that he insisted we show. And it it worked - I still have that in my head to this day. And it worked because Dom always exemplified "Class" in everything he did.
I saw Coach last April at the EHS Alum meeting at Mickey Spillanes. He gave me a big hug and called me "Kid", the nickname he gave me the first year I played for him. And he recalled meeting my grandfather at one of our games. I wish I could have bottled the moment up to have forever. I'm sure there are many of us who feel that way about Coach.
Beth and I send our condolences to the Cecere family. He will be remembered with a big smile by many.
Sunday April 02, 2017
Condolence From: Rick Wolff
Condolence: Dom Cecere was one of the absolute finest individuals I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. As great as he was as a baseball coach - and he was -- he was an even better human being. He will be truly missed in every way. Rick Wolff
Sunday April 02, 2017
Condolence From: Jayda Cooke
Condolence: My deepest sympathies for the Cecere family. Coach Cecere was always a favorite of mine, despite my having nothing to do with EHS athletics. He was kind, funny, compassionate, and cared about all his students. He will be greatly missed. Love and light to all.
Sunday April 02, 2017
Condolence From: Janine Palagano Burke
Condolence: My deepest sympathies. Coach was a big
influence in my life in many ways. I will always remember him fondly.
May he rest in peace.
Sunday April 02, 2017
Condolence From: George Ciccarone
Condolence: I can only speak for myself, but I know this is true for so many of us. Coach made me always want to do my best. In school, athletics and later on in life. We all wanted to make him proud of us. He would treat the gifted "jocks" just as he did those who were too small or not gifted in athletics. He made us all feel special. He really really did. The true measure of greatness is someone who makes us be our best. He influenced so many lives in so many ways. RIP Coach Cercere. I only pray you knew what you meant to us.
Sunday April 02, 2017
Condolence From: Donna Bruckner
Condolence: This world is by far a poorer place with his passing, but the world to which he has gone is richer for his arrival.....
My deepest sympathies to the Cecere Families....
Sunday April 02, 2017
Condolence From: Howard Radin
Condolence: My condolences to the Cecere family. A truly wonderful man. I ran into coach a couple of years ago, while visiting my father in Eastchester, raking leaves in his front yard wearing bib cycling shorts. He looked good. Always with a smile. We chatted. Great memories.
Sunday April 02, 2017
Condolence From: Joe (Muko) Mariani
Condolence: I want to thank Coach and his family for making the town of Eastchester their home.Thank you coach for showing not only me but so many others what it was like to be a true compassionate,caring gentlemen.
Sunday April 02, 2017
Condolence From: AnnMarie DeCairano
Condolence: This Town was blessed to have you. You were a great role model for all our children. Heaven gained a beautiful Angel.
We will forever be greatful. RIP Coach.
Sunday April 02, 2017
Condolence From: Larry A. Berglas
Condolence: Condolences to the Cecere family. Coach Cecere and my Dad were colleagues for many years in the Eastchester schools. Just a few years ago, at a chance meeting at White Plains High School, I got to tell Coach how much his nonjudgmental support, good humor, and encouragement in my not-so-athletic junior and senior high school days mattered. I’d always wanted to tell him that. It was a good conversation. He was a good person.
Sunday April 02, 2017
Condolence From: Pam Speidell
Condolence: Your presence made this town a better place. Rest In Peace, Coach
Sunday April 02, 2017
Condolence From: Stephanie Fiore D'Addario
Condolence: My thoughts and prayers are with Lyn and her family at this difficult time. Dom was loved by all and he will be greatly missed.
Sunday April 02, 2017
Condolence From: Mike and Jackie Ferretti
Condolence: Our sincere condolences to Coach's family and to all that were graced to know him . He was a true gentleman. Heaven received a great man . I'm sure he will be smiling his great smile from heaven.
RIP
Sunday April 02, 2017
Condolence From: Jim & Robert Rourke
Condolence: We were proud to be on coach Dom's first varsity baseball team at Eastchester High. Coach taught us what it takes to be winners and he will never be forgotten. Our prayers are with Dom's family and know that he was loved.
Sunday April 02, 2017
Condolence From: MARK STEMPEL
Condolence: COACH DOM CECERE WAS MY COACH IN JUNIOR AND SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL. HE WAS A GREAT MAN THAT LOVED FAMILY AS WELL AS HIS STUDENTS. I GOT OUT OF HIGH SCHOOL IN "68" AND EVRYTIME WE MET THERE WAS A SMILE A HANDSHAKE AND A HUG. HE WAS ONE OF THE MOST WARM LOVING PEOPLE I HAVE EVER KNOWN. MY LOVE AND CONDOLENCES TO HIS FAMILY. WE ALL LOVED HIM AND HE WILL BE DEEPLY MISSED
Sunday April 02, 2017