John Michael Cece

John was born in Elizabeth, New Jersey on Sep 27th, 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 USCGC 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 the University of Rhode Island in 1972. He returned to active duty Coast Guard and was stationed at the Office of Research and Development in the 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. His passion for sailing extended to all family and friends, nieces and nephews. He loved taking them out on his boat and sharing his love of the water with them. 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 (Barb) Cece and Bill (Vickie) Cece, four children: John (Brenda Dalen) Cece Jr., Mary (Bob) Russell, Jennifer (Arne) Anderson and Patricia (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) and numerous nieces and nephews.

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.

Funeral Mass on Friday September 19, 2025 at 11:00 AM in Ascension Catholic Church, 12700 Lanham Severn Rd, Bowie, MD 20720.