Joseph Cece

Joseph (Pepino) Cece, 92, of Sarasota passed away at Sarasota Memorial Hospital on Friday, January 24, 2020. He was born in Bari, Italy on October 20, 1927 to Vito Nicola and Grazia Giannelli Cece. Mr. Cece was easy to talk to and had an amazing sense of humor. He loved people and even people who would meet him for the first time immediately became a friend. He loved the Lord and would promote his teachings to whomever he felt needed uplifting or guidance. He loved sports, especially the Chicago White Sox. Mr. Cece retired to Sarasota because the White Sox spring training camp was located here along with his eternal love for fishing and seafood. He was an AMAZING cook who loved to share his rich Italian heritage along with all his life experiences with everyone. Mr. Cece was extremely patriotic and very proud to be an American!

Mr. Cece was preceded in death by his parents, Vito and Grazia Cece; and sister, Filomina Scamarcia.

Those left behind to cherish his memory will remember him as a wonderful husband, an eternally loving father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle, and cousin. Mr. Cece is survived by his wife of 65 years, Emma Rose (Delnardo) Cece; daughter, Grace Colonna (Anthony); sons, Vito (Mary), Joe (Lauren), and Frank; grandchildren, Anna Schuckman (Douglas), Danny Cece (Bliss), Filomina Colonna, Alex Colonna, Michael Cece, Samantha Colonna, and Wednesday Cece; great-grandchildren, Sawyer Schuckman, Emma Borges, and Adrianna Cece; nieces, Sthefanie and Sarah; nephew, William; along with many other nieces, nephews, and cousins in the USA and abroad. He loved his entire family inclusive of extended family overseas.

Visitation will be held Friday, January 31, from 5 until 8pm at Robert Toale & Sons Funeral Home (170 Honore Ave, Sarasota). A funeral mass will be held on Saturday, February 1, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church (7900 Bee Ridge Rd, Sarasota) beginning at 1pm with burial to follow at Palms Memorial Park.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, 7900 Bee Ridge Rd, Sarasota, FL 34241, St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105, or the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, KS 66675.