8 Bells - John Cece, Honorary Commodore

A lifelong love of people and sailing.

Captain John M. Cece went to be with the Lord on 14 Sep 2025 after a long, productive and enjoyable life. 

John was born in Elizabeth, New Jersey on Sep 27^th, 1935, the oldest of 8 children. 

He graduated from Grover Cleveland High School, Caldwell, NJ as the Senior Class President. He was also Captain of the bowling team and quarterback of the football team. 

He entered the US Coast Guard Academy where he received his BS in Engineering. He married the love of his life Mary Flinn on June 8, 1957. They had been classmates since they were in kindergarten. 

John’s first duty station after graduating was in Hawaii where he was stationed aboard the USCGC CHAUTAUGUA to conduct “weather” patrol in the Pacific. In 1959 he was transferred to be Commanding Officer of CG-95331 stationed in Savannah, Georgia. 

In 1961 he was then stationed at the Coast Guard Academy in New London, CT where he taught chemistry and physics. He was also an assistant soccer coach. 

LT Cece deployed to Vietnam in 1965 and commanded the USGC POINT ORIENT where he patrolled the coast and was the first CG officer, since WWII, to give the command, “Commence Fire” in combat. 

He obtained a PhD in Chemistry from University of Rhode Island in 1972. He returned to active duty Coast Guard and was stationed at the Office of Research and Development in Coast Guard Headquarters in Washington, DC. 

After retiring from the Coast Guard he worked for the Department of Energy for 10 years. He oversaw the storage and transportation of hazardous materials. 

John and Mary were lifelong sailors. John loved sailing their sailboat, Menehune, on the Chesapeake Bay. He taught all of his children and grandchildren the art of sailing and the joy of spending time on the water. John and Mary sailed up and down the East coast. They are lifetime members of the West River Sailing Club.  

Awards include the Bronze Star Medal, with Combat “V” for meritorious service while serving as Commanding Officer of USCGC POINT ORIENT in Vietnam. His CG reserve unit was awarded the Coast Guard Meritorious Unit Commendation. 

His parents, Alfonse and Jennie, and two siblings, Jim and Bob, preceded him in death. He is survived by his siblings: Jane (and Herb) Briscoe, Toni Koenig, Dorothy LaPosa, Al (and Barb) Cece and Bill (and Vickie) Cece), four children: John (and Brenda Dalen) Cece Jr., Mary (and Bob) Russell, Jennifer (and Arne) Anderson and Patricia (and Phil) Perrin), five grandchildren: Daniel and Kevin Russell, Katie and Bethany Anderson and Audrey Perrin. He has one great grandchild: James Russell (Kevin and Bridget).

John loved his family, his friends, sailing and being with his family. He lived life to its fullest and his enthusiasm and joy for teaching, sharing and learning will be greatly missed. 

Remembrances can be made in John M. Cece’s name to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research. 

InIn honor of John’s impact on WRSC, club insignias were flown half-staff for one week following his passing.

John knew WRSC inside and out, having led the grounds, waterfront, and house committees at various times among other volunteer positions, he was always ready to help or guide our club. While he volunteered in nearly every aspect of our community and knew almost every detail, he persisted in his desire to not become commodore. To honor his enormous commitment to our community, the board awarded him the title of Honorary Commodore in 2015.

His service will be held this coming Friday at 11am at Ascension Catholic Church in Bowie

12700 Lanham Severn Rd, Bowie, MD 20720

The family welcomes anyone from the WRSC community, or the sailing community at large, that would like to attend!