John J, Cece Jr.

John Joseph Cece Jr, age 55, passed away on Monday, August 22, 2022. He was born in Everett, Massachusetts to the late John Sr and Rose (Corrao) Cece on Monday, November 28, 1966. He is survived by his loving wife of nearly 20 years, Jennifer (Askew), and their incredible children, James and Catherine, of Glenwood, IL; sister Josephine (Bill) Warnock, beloved nephew Billy (Meg) Warnock, brother Fred Cece (his partner Joan Julianello and her daughter, Kayla), all of Everett, Massachusetts; mother-in-law Catherine Askew and sister-in-law Stephanie Askew (her partner Rick Olson) both of Chicago, Illinois; lifelong friends Walter McDonald and Keith Bengtson, dear friend Mike Connor; many loving aunts, uncles, and cousins, both of birth and inherited through marriage.

John had a great love of computers, technology, television, and movies. It was through his love of movies that John and Jennifer met online in 2000, before it was a thing, through a random chat one February night. From their first conversation, they spoke every day from then on. They met in person for the first time in July when he bought her her first-ever plane ticket, he came to Chicago in August, and they were engaged that November, at the top of the Sears Tower. They were married October 18, 2002.

A graduate of Everett High School, with a strong work ethic and early experience in food service, John graduated from Bunker Hill Community College with a Culinary Arts degree. From there he began a long career with Marriott International, starting as a cook at the Boston Marriott Long Wharf Hotel. In no time, he became Director of Food and Beverage Purchasing, then, an Accountant. He remained with the company when John and Jennifer moved to Glenwood, eventually filling the same role with JuiceTyme, Inc before returning to the hospitality industry as an accountant with Virgin Hotels Chicago.

John was a very hard worker, always trying to find ways to make a task more efficient, a teammate through and through, in every sense of the word. A devoted coworker, a loyal friend, a family man who was there in a moment any time he was needed. A dedicated and loving father and the greatest husband. Fantastic cook, hosting family gatherings, spending many holiday hours in the kitchen with his mother-in-law and lots of summer hours at the grill. Full of Italian temper and endless dad jokes, he would talk your ear off about his enormous movie collection as long as you'd would let him. But, more than anything, did he ever live to serve his family. In the trenches by his wife's side through all the school holiday shops, Lego Clubs with his boy, Daddy-Daughter dances with his girl, so many moments that are too many to name. John lived a quiet life but it was a full and loving life. Just too short..

Visitation and funeral services to be held Thursday, August 25, 2022 at Tews-Ryan Funeral Home, 18230 Dixie Highway, Homewood, Illinois. Visitation from 3pm-7pm, Service at 7pm, with cremation to follow.