It is with sadness that the family of Anthony "Tony" Cece, 82, announce his sudden passing on Sunday, January 2nd, 2022. Tony was a proud American patriot who served with the 101st Airborne Division as an infantry paratrooper and who participated in military funeral honors for veterans.

Tony spent the early part of his life in NJ as a successful salesman and later as a school bus driver. He volunteered his time coaching and umpiring youth football and baseball and was an outdoor enthusiast who enjoyed hunting and fishing. He was lifelong amateur racer, from go-karts to snowmobiles, derby cars and, after he moved to New York State, stock cars at Fonda speedway.

Tony was deeply devoted to a number of animal rescues and causes and was a strong advocate against animal cruelty. For a good part of his life, he provided a loving home to the many stray cats who wandered into his yard or who were otherwise abandoned. His nine beloved cats have all been placed in loving homes.

Tony is survived by his children: daughter Lori and her husband, Rob, son Jeff and his wife, Sharon, daughter Jennifer and her husband, Kevin, and six grandchildren - Daniel, Andrew, Elayna, Julianne, Logan and Violet. He is also survived by longtime friends Don Stadler, Howie Liebmann, Cathi Eason and her daughters Jessi and Lita, and beloved neighbors Blondie and Charlene Morell. Tony was also a favored regular at Denny's in Oneonta and considered his frequent visits there a treasured part of his day.

A memorial will be planned at a later date in the spring. In memory of his devotion to animal causes, donations may be made to a local animal rescue in Tony's name.