Mr. William Summers

Bill was a life-long horseman. Born in Boston Massachusetts he began working with horses when he was just nine years old by walking hots for an uncle at Suffolk Downs. He left home as a young teenager with trainer Bill Wren to work his way up to become a jockey. He worked at racetracks from New England to Mexico City and most of the tracks in between. Horses and the racetrack were his life. One of Bill’s proudest accomplishments as a trainer was winning eleven races with ‘Dorothy’s Boy’ in New England. When he took time off from racing he owned and ran several restaurants. Bill had a need to feed and was an accomplished cook. One of his greatest pleasures was cooking for family gatherings.

For the past twenty-seven years Bill and his partner of thirty-eight years, Wendy Brown, lived in Indiana building a horse farm and racing the Midwest circuit and finally at Indiana racetracks. On the farm Bill enjoyed working with the tractor moving dirt, building fences, and especially bush hogging.

Bill was a staunch supporter of the Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association (HBPA.) He served on the Indiana ad hoc HBPA before racing became a reality in Indiana. He attended Racing Commission meetings and lobbied for thoroughbred causes. Bill continued to serve on the board of the newly formed Indiana HBPA from 1993 to 2002. His involvement in the HBPA stemmed from his genuine concern for the welfare of the people who work on the backside. Bill never met a person he couldn’t engage in conversation. He was a people person and often made people laugh.

Bill is survived by his wife Wendy Brown, his three children, Lynel Duffy of Indianapolis, IN, Deon Cestroni of Indianapolis, IN, and Charlene Cestroni of Tewksbury, MA, his two grandsons John and Dylan, and his sisters Anna (Fougere) of East Boston, MA, and Clara (Lipscomb) of Mechanicsville, VA. Bill is preceded in death by his parents Achille and Concetta (Ferrari) Cestroni, and his brothers and sisters Anthony, Amelia (DeVeau,) Mario, and Edward Cestroni.

In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to The Permanently Disabled Jockey Fund, Thoroughbred Charities of America or Friends of Ferdinand.