James Joseph Cece Sr.

On Wedneday, April 13, 2016,while surrounded by his loving family, James J. (Jim) Cece, Sr. walked unencumbered into Heaven after a 25-year battle with Parkinson’s Disease. A long-time principal of Cece Brothers Construction, until his retirement in 2005, Jim was a well-known, lifelong Livingston resident. He graduated from Grover Cleveland High School in Caldwell, was Treasurer of the class of 1955, and was proud to be part of their reunion committee. Jim also attended the United States Coast Guard Academy and Seton Hall University before joining the family business, started by his father and uncles, as a master carpenter. A friend to everyone who met him, Jim had a winning smile and a ready sense of humor. A strong and determined man, he endured the constraints of his illness with resolve and dignity and without ever losing the twinkle in his eye.

The second of eight children born to Alphonse and Jennie (nee Horne) Cece, Jim is predeceased by his parents, his brother “Coach Bob” Cece, and four infant children, Patrick, Scott, Theresa, and Christopher. He is survived by his son, James and Susan Verry Cece, his daughter Donna Louise Cece; his grandchildren Jacquelyn Cece, James J. Cece III, and Trevor Cece; and his siblings, brother John and Mary Cece, three sisters Jane (Cece) and Herb Briscoe, Toni (Cece) and Michael Koenig, Dorothy (Cece) LaPosa, brothers Al & Barbara Cece, Bill and Vickie Cece; his loving companion Carol DeAngelis, as well as twenty nieces and nephews, many grandnieces and grand nephews, and scores of loving friends and neighbors.

Funeral arrangements are being handled by Quinn-Hopping Funeral Home, 145 E. Mt. Pleasant Ave., Livingston, with visitation from 4 – 8:30 pm, including an hour of remembrance at 7:30 pm, on Monday, April 18, 2016. A funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m, on Tuesday, April 19, at Quinn-Hopping, followed by interment at Gates of Heaven Cemetary, Ridgedale Avenue, Hanover.

In lieu of flowers, Jim and his family would be grateful for donations to isThe Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research at: www.michaeljfox.org